Hina Parvez Butt protests against inflation while clad in Chanel, Manolo Blahnik

The politician's move to don luxury goods at a protest against inflation brushed many the wrong way


Entertainment Desk October 28, 2021

Politician Hina Parvez Butt recently attracted backlash after she was pictured at a protest outside parliament against rising inflation clad in luxury fashion goods.  

The PML-N politician took to Twitter to post a picture of herself wearing pearls, Manolo Blahnik heels, and carrying a Chanel quilted bag. Butt held up an earthenware pot, carrot and wooden spoon to protest the rising cost of food, writing, “Outside the Punjab Assembly protesting against rising costs.” 

The post brushed many the wrong way, with Butt attracting criticism for her choice to don luxury goods when people don’t have enough money for food. A user pointed out the exact costs of the politician’s accessories, while also pointing out the minimum wage in Pakistan. “$5995 + $995 = $6990, $1 = Rs174.88, $6990 = Rs1222367.25. Minimum monthly wage in Pakistan = Rs25000.  48/49 bandon ki monthly wage kaa apne khali bag aur heels pehni wi hain. Kuch toh khuda kaa khoof krlain yeh tweet krte wae! [Your heels and bag cost as much as the monthly income of 48 to 49 individuals. Have some fear of God before sending out such tweets].”  

 

On how the protest feels like a mockery given the inappropriate attire, a user tweeted, “If I'm not mistaken, your gorgeous bag is Chanel Medium Flap, $6,800. Manolo Blahnik, Hangisi pumps I presume, are worth $1,525. I don't know much about pearls. The perfect accessories to protest inflation, only in Pakistan. Leaders in other countries stick to retail in a protest.” 

Another user pointed out how such tone-deaf practices are common amongst the wealthy, citing the example of Maulana Tariq Jamil. “Protesting against inflation in branded clothes? Lol, this is just like MTJ asking people to follow “saadgi [simplicity]” while travelling in Lexus SUV. Please, set your priorities right. Aisay nahi kartay [This isn’t how it’s done].”

 "That bag of yours must cost enough to run a middle-class house for two months," tweeted another user. 

On how the politician's attire is the ideal fodder for jokes, a critic wrote, "Hina Butt protesting against mehengai [inflation] wearing Chanel and Manolos. The jokes write themselves."

On the possibility of how Butt may be protesting a different kind of mehengai.

 

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