Pakistan

Burqa of Pakistan's first lady 'unmasks societal biases'

Bushra Imran's attire for Khan's PM inauguration heavily scrutinised by Twitteratti

News Desk August 18, 2018

Prime Minister Imran Khan with his wife Bushra Bibi before being sworn in. PHOTO COURTESY: TWITTER

With the nation's eyes set on Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan's inauguration as prime minister on Saturday, his wife's outfit for the occasion also drew social media attention.

Bushra Imran chose to wear a veil, but her choice was heavily criticised as 'not fit' for the country's first lady. However, some admired her for dress modestly.

Imran Khan’s wife number three. It’s like we’ve gone back to the Middle Ages! #BushraManika #BushraBibi #ImranKhan #NayaPakistan pic.twitter.com/rsxjRxbLHq
— Seema Goswami (@seemagoswami) August 18, 2018

Discourse in this regard has resurfaced after she assumed her new role. However, certain quarters termed the criticism as unwarranted policing of women's choices.

Twitter reacts after Imran's election as PM

With some quick to note that men are judged for the choices made by the women in their life.

A social media user lauded the freedom of choice for women to choose to dress as they please in 'Naya Pakistan'.

First Lady Bushra Maneka & all women attendees killing all ‘liberals’ at this moment. All invited yet without specific requirement of dress-code; as it should be. This is #NayaPakistan and freedom of choice for women to dress as they see fit-no judgement#PrimeMinisterImranKhan
— Saffina Ellahi (@SaffinaEllahi1) August 18, 2018

Sociologist Nida Kirmani spoke out saying that Bushra's attire was the least of the problems the public should be worried about.

Bushra Maneka's burqa should seriously be the least of our concerns. pic.twitter.com/9M8XCEvFLF
— Nida Kirmani (@NidaKirmani) August 18, 2018

Another social media user said that "I can't believe people still think they have a say on what Bushra Maneka chooses to do or wear. None of your concern".

https://twitter.com/hibzdontlie4/status/1030772469655920641

Notwithstanding, a Twitter user said that "Bushra Bibi has reached and I'm a little disappointed. But I think this is how she wants to be".

https://twitter.com/FaizaYasir/status/1030681001889095680

COMMENTS (18)

preet | 5 years ago | Reply It is absolutely her choice..y r ppl bothered by her dressing if she is harmless.. n it is her right to dressup the way she wants just the way women who don't like being told to wear veils and blaah..just let her be the way she is. unless she is not killing somebdy or waging a war..

Manahil | 5 years ago | Reply She was brave to wear what she wanted and we should respect that just like we respect men and women wearing jeans and t-shirts,Saudi men wearing thobes and Indian women wearing saris.It's a part of who they are and as a human being it's our responsibility to exhibit tolerance to people from all classes,races,culture and creed.It wouldn't be wrong to say that it is none of our business what she wears because if she is to be a role model it will be her vision,her ideals and values which will matter in the eyes of today's youth rather than what she chooses to wear, because today's youth know what really matters.We should be more worried about the real pressing matters,mainly our countrys economic situation,the water shortage problem,unemployment,power shortage and lack of standardized quality education.This is where energy and constructive criticism is required.Direly.

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Dr. Asjad Iqbal | 5 years ago | Reply If she is that fearful of showing her face maybe she should just stay at home. The women in the Saudi Royal Family never appear in public with burqa or without.

Hyder | 5 years ago | Reply Aoa.ist of all,covering face is not forbidden.the minimum covering allowed for a woman is her body and hairs except face should b covered.this is the minimum required.if she wants not to show the world her face,whats the problem.secondly she was coming with pm.if ur pm wants to bring a man or abdul aziz in veil.its the pm decision and he has the power to invite anyone given to him by constitution

Khwaja | 5 years ago | Reply If 300 million Americans don't mind their first lady botoxed and shooting for more than centrefolds, why should the world have a view on a Pakistani lady who doesn't want to show. More power to Bushra Bibi!

pakone | 5 years ago | Reply First of all, covering of the face for women is forbidden in Islam. It's Saudi wahabiism that promoted and brought this culture to Pak. Second, the first lady's attire is absolutely our business as she is now a public figure and a possible role model for the women and especially young girls of our country. Her attire portrays a medieval, backward mindset to the women of Pakistan who are already oppressed. What this signifies to them is that their only job is cover up and sit in chadar and char diwaari, which is a very dangerous mindset for a country whose population is over 51% female.

Muddassar Jahangir | 5 years ago | Reply It is up to the first lady how she chooses to dress. Well done her for not conforming to society.

Saad | 5 years ago | Reply There is a campaign against burka and burkini in the West.

nikki | 5 years ago | Reply No one has right to crticise her veil. People should respect other's values You all seem highly educated but seem ignorant and duffer

Tahir saeed | 5 years ago | Reply How

rafeeq | 5 years ago | Reply A bird in cage of freed after spending most of its life in cage would refuse to fly away. Thinking Cage is safest place to be...

Tariq | 5 years ago | Reply Her dress code was very much acceptable and accurate, it’s should be none of anyone’s business, she is to be followed by the woman, the girl and the lady of this so-called modern era

Ann | 5 years ago | Reply Pakistan going back in time.

Nasi | 5 years ago | Reply I just hope this women doesn't turn out to be Rasputin of Pakistan.

RHS | 5 years ago | Reply Nawaz Sharif's "Khalai Makhlooq" has been located..

numbersnumbers | 5 years ago | Reply @M R Goods: Hmm, and how can you be sure that it is not Abdul Aziz under that burka?

Bunny Rabbit | 5 years ago | Reply she should have at least shown her face . How else to know its a woman inside that veil and not some man ?

M R Goods | 5 years ago | Reply How the First Lady chose to dress is her prerogative. If she takes us to the Middle Ages then be it. A fully dressed 'Middle Ages' lady is better than a scantily dressed lady of the modern age.

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