Reporter slammed for 'harassing' Sobia Shahid by asking her to repeat 'sexist remarks' on camera

Following the widespread outrage on social media for the sexist remarks and rape threats directed at PML-N lawmaker Sobia Shahid by alleged PTI workers during the inaugural session of the KP Assembly, a video emerged on ‘X’ showing a reporter asking her to repeat the offensive remarks.

In the viral video, a reporter asked Sobia Shahid if she could repeat the remarks made about her in the KP Assembly since he didn't understand Pashto. In response, the PML-N MPA said, "You can translate." 

Another reporter then asked if she would take any legal action against those who made such sexist remarks. 

The PML-N lawmaker stated that she would sue everyone involved in harassment "just like this man," who asked her to repeat the offensive remarks. 

Sobia then strongly rebuked the previous reporter, saying, "It is harassment. You already watched the video. You don't know how to treat a woman or how to ask a question. You should be ashamed of yourself for asking such a question."

Journalists, politicians, and social media users fiercely criticised the reporter, equating his actions to harassment and accusing him of deliberately targeting the PML-N leader.

"The person behind the mic is pathetic. More power to Sobia Shahid for putting up with this on a daily basis. This should also serve as a reminder of the insensitive and disrespectful men that women in this country, especially those in the public eye, have to deal with,” journalist Absa Komal said in a post on X.

The person behind the mic is pathetic. More power to Sobia Shahid for putting up with this on a daily basis. This should also serve as a reminder of the insensitive and disrespectful men that women in this country, especially those in the public eye, have to deal with. https://t.co/2AmrPW7KK2

— Absa Komal (@AbsaKomal) March 3, 2024

Talat Hussain slammed the reporter for insisting Sobia Shahid “to recall the graphic detail of all that was said about her.”

“They think this is such fun!” he added. 

So basically this https://t.co/Yx7JbYnQ8q guy (surprise surprise) wanted the victim of abuse in KP assembly to recall in graphic detail all that was said about her. They think this is such fun! pic.twitter.com/SAMQdKscYy

— Syed Talat Hussain (@TalatHussain12) March 3, 2024

Sohrab barkat of @siasatpk is so masoom that he didn’t know how @Sobia_Shahid_kp was abused.

plz record ur anger by unfollowing @siasatpk from all social media handles

Send translation of abuses in their DM https://t.co/r8BxhkHNgK

— Fauzia Yazdani (@yazdanifauzia) March 3, 2024

یہ ہے وہ 'صحافی' جس نے ثوبیہ شاہد سے بار بار کہا کہ ویڈیو میں بولے گئے الفاظ ہمارے سامنے دہرائیں۔ اور یہ مہوش قماس نامی خاتون اسے 'سوال پوچھنے' جیسا معصومانہ عمل قرار دے رہی ہیں۔ https://t.co/THWn08UANk

— Ali Warsi (@thealiwarsi) March 3, 2024

The reporter insisting with Sobia Shahid to repeat in front of a dozen cameras the sexist abuses hurled at her has heaped shame on himself & embarrassed his media outlet and journalists. He owes public apology to the victim and to journalists community. https://t.co/23jc4i09OD

— Farhatullah Babar (@FarhatullahB) March 3, 2024

In response to the backlash, the reporter Sohrab Barkat took to 'X' to clarify his question, stating that he disapproves of the abusive remarks made towards Sobia Shahid. 

“Important Clarification: Today, when I asked Sobia Shahid a question, I had not yet watched the video in which inappropriate remarks were made against her. I had also inquired about this with other journalists. The language used towards her in the assembly is unacceptable to anyone,” his post read. 

ایک ضروری وضاحت:

آج جب میں نے ثوبیہ شاہد صاحبہ سے سوال پوچھا اسوقت تک میں نے وہ ویڈیو نہیں دیکھی تھی جس میں ان کیخلاف نازیبا گفتگو کی گئی۔ دوسرے صحافیوں سے میرے سوالات اسی حوالے سے تھے۔
جو الفاظ ان کیلیے کے پی اسمبلی میں استعمال ہوئے کس بھی طور کسی کیلیے بھی قابل قبول نہیں۔ https://t.co/FRGkKU0Mn1

— Sohrab Barkat (@SohrabBarkatt) March 3, 2024