Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has responded to remarks made by her husband, Captain (retd) Muhammad Safdar, about women and cancer patients, as his comments prompted criticism on social media.
Safdar made the remarks earlier this week while addressing a Khatm e Nabuwwat gathering in Chiniot, where he criticised the slogan Mera Jism, Meri Marzi (My Body, My Choice), commonly associated with campaigns advocating women's bodily autonomy.
Questioning the slogan, Safdar argued that women who asserted control over their bodies should also be capable of curing themselves when diagnosed with illnesses such as cancer. He referred to women seeking prayers and religious assistance during illness, maintaining that the human body ultimately remains under God's control.
His remarks drew criticism for linking women's right to make decisions about their bodies with their ability to recover from disease. On Friday, Maryam responded to a post about Safdar's comments on X, describing the situation as “heartbreaking”.
“The silent battles a woman, a wife, fights behind closed doors… The strength she must find even when she feels like breaking. Some battles are fought in silence, and some wounds are invisible,” she wrote.
Although the chief minister did not directly name Safdar in her response, her comments were made in reaction to a post discussing his statements.
The exchange brought attention to the distinction between bodily autonomy and medical treatment. The slogan Mera Jism, Meri Marzi is used by women's rights campaigners to advocate consent, personal safety and the ability to make decisions concerning one's body. It does not suggest that individuals can control whether they develop an illness or recover from it.
Maryam's response also drew reactions from political figures, journalists and social media users, several of whom welcomed her decision to comment publicly. Former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry praised the chief minister for taking what he described as a clear stance.
Journalist Benazir Shah also expressed support, saying it required courage to address the issue publicly. Journalist Ajmal Jami criticised Safdar's remarks while recalling his mother's experience with cancer and the difficulties his family faced during her treatment.
The controversy has renewed discussion about women's bodily autonomy, the experiences of cancer patients and the responsibility of public figures when addressing matters involving illness and personal rights.
Safdar's comments and Maryam's subsequent response have also drawn attention because of their relationship and their respective positions within Pakistan's political landscape.
As of the reported exchange, Safdar had not issued a clarification or publicly withdrawn his remarks.
