Press Trust of India Posted online: Friday, September 16, 2005 at 1104 hours IST Updated: Friday, September 16, 2005 at 1503 hours IST
Islamabad, September 16: Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf's reported remarks in New York that women in his country were "willing to get raped" in order to get visas to foreign countries triggered a furore at home with Opposition and the media condemning the comments.
"It was shocking to read that general Musharraf had publicly aired his low opinion of women," Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader and Member of the National Assembly, Sherry Rehman, said in a statement here today.
Musharraf had made the remarks in an interview to Washington Post during his current US visit.
"It (rape) is happening everywhere. You must understand the environment in Pakistan. This has become a moneymaking concern. A lot of people say if you want to go abroad and get a visa for Canada or citizenship and be a millionaire, get yourself raped," he said.
Rehman said all Pakistanis must have "lowered their heads in shame to be represented by such views." The PPP and "progressive people" across the country want to distance themselves from such a view.
Musharraf comments came as part of his claim that several rape victims are lodging vocal protests with the help of NGOs giving a negative projection of Pakistan abroad.
Leading Pakistani newspaper daily Times also criticised Musharraf for his remarks. "These remarks are most unbecoming. They demonstrate unwarranted arrogance and ignorance at the same time and reflect terribly on his commitment to the cause of women in Pakistan," it said in an editorial.
