PPP’s Nabil Gabol has tendered an unconditional apology to everyone hurt by his controversial remarks about rape, admitting that his words were inappropriate.

“If you have been hurt by my statements, I apologise,” were his words.

During an interview with Aaj News, Gabol confirmed that his party had issued him a show-cause notice to explain himself.

However, Gabol claimed that the widespread condemnation he drew over his statement – “if rape is imminent, enjoy it” – was the outcome of a campaign led by PTI supporters.

Nabil Gabol made the remarks on a podcast with Shehzad Ghias Shaikh.

Gabol said he was citing a quote from a French novel to say that if you don’t rise against injustice it amounted to enjoying that injustice. “I never said that the ziyadti (injustice or rape) was being committed against a woman. I was talking about society at large.”

Gabol claimed that 95% of the people who launched a campaign against him on social media were PTI supporters.

“I told you earlier that Imran Khan is being relaunched and he is behind the present situation of the country,” he said.

The statement

During a podcast, Nabil was asked whether political parties were there only to be “used” and later discarded.

“I will answer this with an English saying. When rape is imminent, just enjoy it,” he said.

The host intervened by saying, “There was no such proverb”, but Gabol insisted: “Yes there is.”

He explained: “If you have the tolerance for it and if your body can endure it, you should. But if you have any dignity, you will speak up against it. I don’t believe in the claim that someone is being forced. Even if you are being forced, you must stand your ground.”

His statement was swiftly condemned on social media, more embarrassingly by Fatima Bhutto and Bakhtawar Bhutto-Zardari.

PPP Sindh President Nisar Khuhro issued him a show-cause notice, calling on him to explain his choice of words within three days or face disciplinary action.