Speaker of the Pakistan Assembly’s Refusal to Make Eye Contact with a Female Leader Goes Viral

A humorous conversation between Pakistani politician and former minister Zartaj Gul and National Assembly Speaker Ayaz Sadiq is captured in a video that has gone viral. In the video, Gul playfully demands that the speaker look her in the eye when she speaks to the group.

Grinning, Gul ordered the speaker to put on his spectacles and give her a direct look. “I was instructed to speak by my party leaders to look people in the eyes. If you continue to avoid eye contact like this, I will be unable to communicate. Then, gentleman, put on your spectacles,” Gul answered.

“I am the boss. I’ve got fifteen thousand votes. I won’t be able to speak to you if you don’t listen to me, she continued.

In response to Gul’s comments, Speaker Sadiq used a blend of comedy and cultural awareness. He drew amusement from the opposition and ruling benches with his statement, “I will listen, but I cannot make eye contact with a woman as it seems inappropriate.”

“If you treat 52% of women like this, then only a chosen few will be able to participate here,” Gul retorted.

Millions of people have viewed the widely circulated video, which features the speaker’s reaction and the ensuing laughing, on social media. The exchange’s sad yet hilarious quality was highly appreciated by many users.

A user wrote, “Amazing humor.” class action One more said, “It’s amazing how they manage to remain cheerful and calm despite facing both political and economic challenges.”

A well-known politician from Pakistan named Zartaj Gul held the position of Minister of State for Climate Change from October 2021 to April 2022, when former Prime Minister Imran Khan was ousted via a motion of no confidence.

She was re-elected from Dera Ghazi in 2024 and served as a member of the National Assembly from August 2018 to January 2023.