abil Gabol is a Pakistani politician and a member of the Pakistan Peoples Party, a ruling coalition member in the federal government and the ruling party in Sindh. He has made several sexist and disturbing comments on multiple podcasts, drawing an analogy between sexual assault and political oppression

His remarks have sparked outrage and criticism from civil society and his own party, as well as calls for his removal from the party. His comments reflect a misogynistic and disturbing attitude towards sexual violence and women’s rights. His lack of remorse and accountability for his actions are disturbing.

I one of his podcasts Gabol trivialised rape by saying “if rape is imminent, just enjoy it.” He suggested that enduring rape was a form of acceptance and that one should “just enjoy it” if they are helpless to prevent it. He thus denied the concept of being forced into sex and implied that victims are responsible for their fate, venerating those strong enough to prevent it and denigrating those who could not and “endured” it. With these justifications, he showed a complete disregard for the trauma and suffering of rape survivors.

He also made other offensive remarks about sexual relationships and women in general. In another podcast, he asked for the contact details of a social media sensation in a suggestive manner. In yet another video, he claimed that while people of Karachi keep their emotions bottled up to “release them in the bathroom,” people like him “can simply get whomever” they want. With these remarks, Gabol displayed a disturbingly entitled and predatory attitude towards women.

Many Twitter users expressed disgust and disbelief at Gabol’s twisted mind set and the danger it poses if people like him are allowed to shape policies and laws. Some condemned his remarks as sick, vile and filth.

Writer Fatima Bhutto called his comments despicable. She said these had exposed the criminal mind set of the provincial government. She also said he had done nothing for Lyari or the people he supposedly represents. She demanded that he be removed from the party.

Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari sought to clarify that Gabol’s offensive statements did not represent the party’s stance. She said she was appalled by his remarks and that he should be ashamed of himself. She also urged the party leadership to take action against him.

The damage to the reputation of his party and the government he represents cannot be rehabilitated with a show-cause notice devoid of real consequences.

Gabol did not apologise or retract his statements despite the host, Shahzad Ghias’s objections in The Pakistan Experience podcast. He doubled down on his claim and persisted with his vile logic. His son, Nadir Nabil Gabol, defended him on Twitter by saying that his father was not a misogynist. He said Gabol had daughters and a granddaughter whom he had received education and were treated better than his sons. He also claimed that his father was quoting from an American movie and this was his attempt at humour. He tried to rationalise his father’s comments by saying that pain was inevitable but suffering was optional. The son’s defence was met with ridicule and criticism by many Twitter users who pointed out flaws and contradictions in his arguments. Of course, having daughters does not protect one from being a misogynist and quoting from some movie does not justify trivialising rape.

The PPP issued a show-cause notice to Gabol over his ‘rape’ comments and asked him to explain his position within seven days. However, some observers questioned the sincerity of the party’s response and wondered if it was just a cosmetic measure to save face. The show-cause notice stated that Gabol’s comments were “highly objectionable” and “contrary to the ideology” of the party. It also said that his remarks had hurt the sentiments of millions of women in Pakistan and abroad. The notice warned Gabol that if he failed to respond within the given time frame, disciplinary action would be taken against him as per the party constitution.

In response to the show cause notice, he later issued a rather sorry excuse of an apology. It sounded typical of those who cannot understand, even upon reflection, why their behaviour is unacceptable. Given the lack of any disciplinary proceedings, it seems as though the party is satisfied with his apology. He said he apologised unconditionally to all women but did not acknowledge the harm he had caused or express regret.

Nabil Gabol’s sexist comments have revealed a misogynistic and disturbing attitude towards sexual violence and women’s rights. He should be removed from the party and held accountable for his actions.

Such comments are a symptom of a deeper problem in Pakistan that needs to be addressed urgently. Although Gabol has faced severe condemnation from various quarters for his insensitive and irresponsible statements, the damage to the reputation of his party and the government he represents cannot be rehabilitated with a show-cause notice devoid of real consequences. PPP needs to take decisive action against Gabol and cancel his party membership.

The writer is an investigative journalist