Ansar Abbasi triggers backlash over mixed gym remarks

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 3 May 2026 |  JP Staff Report

Ansar Abbasi criticized mixed-gender gyms in Islamabad and urged authorities to enforce separate timings, calling the practice a source of 'moral and social issues'. His comments drew criticism from politicians, journalists, and commentators, sparking a heated online debate.

Summary

ISLAMABAD — Veteran journalist Ansar Abbasi has sparked a heated online debate after criticising mixed-gender gyms in Islamabad, calling for separate timings for men and women and framing the practice as a source of “moral and social issues.”

In a post on X, Abbasi urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Islamabad authorities to intervene, arguing that joint workout sessions in gyms were creating social concerns and should be regulated through segregated schedules for men and women. The remarks quickly circulated across social media platforms, drawing sharply divided reactions from journalists, politicians, and commentators.

Call for separate gym timings sparks debate

PML-N MPA Hina Pervez Butt strongly rejected Abbasi’s suggestion, criticizing the framing of mixed-gender exercise spaces as a societal problem. In a direct response, she urged him to broaden his outlook and focus less on regulating private behavior, arguing that such interactions in public fitness spaces do not inherently create social harm.

Abbasi, in response, issued a sarcastic remark questioning her political affiliation and referencing party leadership in a brief exchange that further escalated the online discussion. Journalist Owais Tohid also weighed in, advising Abbasi against advocating moral policing approaches and suggesting that such campaigns risk promoting restrictive social narratives in Pakistan.

Reactions deepen divide over social norms

Former federal minister Fawad Chaudhry also commented on the issue, sharply criticising Abbasi’s stance and suggesting that such views were incompatible with modern societal norms. He used strong language to oppose what he described as attempts to push society toward outdated social restrictions.

Separately, journalist Gharida Farooqi questioned the basis of Abbasi’s conclusion that mixed-gender gym settings lead to moral or social problems, reflecting broader skepticism among media voices over the argument presented. Abbasi later clarified that his comments were grounded in his interpretation of Islamic teachings and the constitutional framework he referenced in support of segregated arrangements.

Wider debate over social space and media discourse

The exchange has amplified an ongoing debate in Pakistan’s digital and media landscape about cultural norms, public spaces, and the boundaries of personal freedom versus social regulation. The controversy also highlights how opinion-driven commentary by public figures can rapidly escalate into broader political and cultural disputes on social media platforms.

WHY THIS MATTERS: The episode underscores how journalists’ personal commentary on social issues can quickly become a wider public debate, blurring the line between opinion and professional voice in digital spaces. For media professionals in Pakistan, it reflects the increasing sensitivity around social narratives and the speed at which online discourse can amplify reputational and institutional tensions. It also highlights the need for careful engagement on platforms like X, where editorial identity and personal opinion often intersect.

ATTRIBUTION: Reporting by JournalismPakistan, based on publicly available posts and statements shared on X by the individuals involved (May 2-3, 2026)

PHOTO: AI-generated; for illustrative purposes only.