Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit Baltistan Ali Amin Gandapur was widely condemned on Saturday for making multiple sexist remarks targeted at Maryam Nawaz in a political gathering, alleging that the PML-N’s leader's “beauty” was "because of the surgeries she got using taxpayers’ money".
“She is beautiful, I will speak the truth. But listen to this as well — she spent tens of millions on surgeries during Nawaz Sharif’s two governments, using your tax money to 'fix' herself,” Gandapur said while addressing a rally in Gilgit-Baltistan's Shigar.
“This beauty is also because of your money,” said the federal minister.
Turning towards the crowd, Gandapur said that if he “picks anyone from the crowd” and spends "just a little bit of taxpayer money" on them, then they will also turn into “Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise”.
Responding to Gandapur, PML-N’s Rana Sanullah said that the “selected lot” are in fear of an “unarmed girl”.
“A single girl has shaken the entire vote-stealing government,” said Sanaullah.
He added that one can expect this “dirty mentality” from a “rotten system’s rotten minister”.
“To [make] personal attacks is proof of their political failure and moral bankruptcy,” said the PML-N leader.
He added that "people with a sick mentality — who steal sugar, wheat and votes — have nothing for the people of Gilgit Baltistan".
The statement also received some well-deserved condemnation on social media, with many users slamming the federal minister for the language used by him.