Not everyone can book a private beach hut: Junaid Akram faces backlash over 'classist' take

Online users alleged elitism and invasion of privacy

Comedian and content creator Junaid Akram has drawn flak for sharing his compilation video on Karachi beaches, mocking common visitors on the site. The video was shared on X, formerly Twitter, as a quote reply to another post remarking on the many beaches in the city. “There are apparently 15 beaches in Karachi and I’ve been to only 5. How’s that fair?” read the post, to which Akram responded with his edit. 

The video shows his walk along the beach with the comedian staring around with a look of comical disbelief, his reaction crosscut with clips of various groups of visitors engaging in typical activities such as jumping in the waters, filming TikToks, and dancing. Akram captioned the video with “Beaches be like”, questioning the crowd that Karachi’s seaside pulls in.

Beaches be like... https://t.co/1txMYzke60 pic.twitter.com/jdNcwMEspn

— Junaid Akram (@junaidakram83) November 22, 2023

Between amusement and offence, comedy is a tricky terrain to navigate. Even more so for digital content makers who rely on video hosting services like YouTube and TikTok to gather an audience. While these spaces encourage potential artists with an absence of traditional barriers on the way to fame, the access also empowers critics.

Internet users flocked to Akram’s post, disproving his documentation of people partaking in harmless fun and compiling it into an allegedly disparaging edit. Visual artist and performer Zulfikar Ali Bhutto Jr commented, “Don’t stare at people when you go to the beach. No one in this compilation was throwing trash or disturbing wildlife.” 

Don’t stare at people when you go to the beach.

No one in this compilation was throwing trash or disturbing wildlife.

They don’t want some pervert gawking at them or judging them for having good time.

Respect your beaches and the people who respectfully use them! https://t.co/PIACoO8go8

— Zulfikar Ali Bhutto ذوالفقار علي ڀٽو (@BhuttoZulfikar) November 23, 2023

The post further called out Akram for staring at people. “They don’t want some pervert gawking at them or judging them for having a good time. Respect your beaches and the people who respectfully use them!” Another post similarly joked, “The weirdest part of the beach has to be a middle-aged man walking around, acting smug and judgmental with a cameraman following him.”

the weirdest part of the beach gotta be a middle aged man walking around acting smug and judgemental with a camera man following him https://t.co/EZa2jfHP8O

— baysabri (@nowaaais) November 23, 2023

One internet user accused the internet personality of harbouring a superiority complex. “Sure, great comedy but tell me on a scale from zero to the apex of your superiority complex, where do you think you stand? Let them do whatever makes them happy,” the netizen contended. 

Junaid, sure great comedy but tell me on a scale from 0 to apex of ur superiority complex where do u think u stand? Which keera in you is not sitting well within your body for you to see people being happy n most importantly themselves. let them do whatever makes them happy https://t.co/kXEf1YRcQj

— Aima 🇵🇸 (@Aimaimrankhan) November 23, 2023

Underscoring the classist implications of Akram’s comedy, another jibed, “How dare these people enjoy themselves? Nothing should be free for them. Not even the beach. This too should be snatched away from them like other basic amenities.”

How dare these people enjoy themselves? Nothing should be free for them. Not even the beach. Ye bhi cheenlena chahiye inse baaki basics ki tarah. Yahan toh sirf ameeron ki yacht parties honi chahiye jahan vodka peekar koi kahe "bro these ghareebs ruin the vibe of our country" https://t.co/VOJchC8wUY

— Syed Zain Raza (@SydZainRaza) November 23, 2023

The invective continued, “These places should only host yacht parties for the rich where someone drunkenly remarks on how the poor ruin the vibe of the country.” Other users similarly highlighted how Akram’s own socioeconomic status factors into his ridicule of how the commons are used.

One X post pointed out how most people cannot afford private rooms to have fun with dignity, adding, "Not everyone is as privileged as you who can book an 85,000 per day private beach hut. Obviously, people will go to such points for entertainment.”

Junaid bhai not everyone is as privileged as you who can book 85k/day private beach hut. Obviously ppl will go to such points for entertainment.

The only thing wrong was guy changing clothes and it is of Dubai beach jahan aap 10 saal rahe hain aur party karne jaate hain 🤷🏻‍♂️ https://t.co/1YOIf755d1

— Anas Tipu (@teepusahab) November 23, 2023

Relaying his only contention, the post’s writer recognised the person partially undressing himself in public sight as a wrong put out of context in Akram’s edit since the clip is from Dubai beach. Another X user questioned the need to film the visitors in the first place. “Why can't people have good times at the beaches? According to ethical and legal standards, what violations are committed here?” the post read.

Why can't people have good times at the beaches? According to ethical and legal standards, what violations are committed here? https://t.co/AG5D6wBZAp

— Hunain Ameen (@MHunainAmeen) November 23, 2023

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