{
  "id": 17387420,
  "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-17387420",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-31T10:49:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "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 faced backlash over remarks made by her husband, retired Capt Muhammad Safdar, at a recent rally. The retired military officer criticized women who advocate for bodily autonomy, specifically the slogan \"my body, my choice.\" Safdar questioned why women who have control over their bodies turn to religious scholars for prayers when they are diagnosed with serious illnesses, such as cancer. He argued that if women claim ownership over their bodies, they should also be responsible for their own well-being.\n\nMaryam Nawaz responded to the criticism on social media, expressing her sympathy for the \"silent battles a woman, a wife, fights behind closed doors.\" She also condemned Safdar's comments as \"shameful and disgraceful.\" The chief minister's mother, Kulsoom Nawaz, passed away in 2018 after a long struggle with cancer. Other users on social media echoed the criticism, with some praising Maryam Nawaz for taking a stand and others finding Safdar's remarks \"ugly and twisted.\"\n\nWhile some users defended Maryam Nawaz's stance, expressing their appreciation for her courage, others continued to condemn Capt Safdar's comments.",
  "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": [],
  "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."
}