{
  "id": 17384646,
  "title": "Capt Safdar's remarks about women suffering from illness draw criticism, including from CM Maryam",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/capt-safdars-remarks-about-women-suffering-from-illness-draw",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-31T10:49:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn - Pakistan",
    "slug": "dawn-pakistan",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2041177/capt-safdars-remarks-about-women-suffering-from-illness-draw-criticism-including-from-cm-maryam"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's husband, retired Capt Muhammad Safdar, has faced criticism for his disparaging remarks about women who advocate for bodily autonomy. At a Khatm-i-Nabuwwat rally in Chiniot, Safdar questioned the slogan \"my body, my choice,\" expressing disbelief that women who assert control over their bodies turn to religious scholars for prayers during serious illnesses like cancer. He argued that if women claim ownership over their bodies, they should also be able to cure them, asserting that the human body is ultimately under God's control.\n\nMaryam Nawaz responded to a post on X regarding her husband's speech, expressing her heartbreak over the situation. Her mother, Kulsoom Nawaz, passed away in 2018 after a long battle with cancer. In her X post, Maryam described the silent battles that women, particularly wives, fight behind closed doors and the strength they must find even when they feel like giving up.\n\nSafdar's remarks drew criticism from various quarters. TV anchor Ajmal Jami condemned the remarks as shameful and disgraceful, praising Maryam for her thoughtful and compassionate words for brave women. Maheen Ghani questioned the logic of taking away a woman's right to ask for prayers when she gets cancer, calling it an ugly and twisted understanding of both women's rights and religion. Journalist Benazir Shah, however, commended Maryam for speaking out, acknowledging the courage it takes to take a public stand on such a matter.",
  "summary": "LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s spouse, retired Capt Muhammad Safdar, has come under fire for disparaging remarks about women advocating for bodily autonomy. Speaking at a Khatm-i-Nabuwwat rally in Chiniot earlier this week, Safdar took aim at the slogan “ mera jism, meri marzi ” (my body, my choice). He questioned why women who assert control over their bodies turn to religious…",
  "key_points": [
    "Capt Safdar's remarks on women's bodily autonomy sparked criticism",
    "Maryam Nawaz expressed heartbreak over husband's speech",
    "Maheen Ghani questioned logic of denying women's right to pray during illness"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}