On August 2, Pakistani social media users were left miffed after they spotted photographs of a couple in “bold dressing” in front of a monument dedicated to Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the man behind the formation of Pakistan whom they “fondly” call Quaid-e-Azam. The photographs were first posted by a group identified as Mystical Shayari on Instagram.
The photographs were clicked on Express Highway, Islamabad. ANI’s Smita Prakash shared it on Twitter and hoped the couple is not hounded by the moral Police in Pakistan.
The fashion element, a bit over the top (in my non-expert opinion) but shock value is on point. And bravado, 100/100.
— Smita Prakash (@smitaprakash) August 3, 2021
The models at Quaid-e-Azam Monument in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Hope they are not hounded by the moral police.
(Pix – Pak social media) pic.twitter.com/08b5gDpEhq
The photographs were taken by one Eman Mahsud, and dresses were designed by one Raja Wasey, who identifies himself as a drag artist on Instagram. While Mystical Shayari and Eman have deactivated their accounts, Wasey made his account private on Instagram after the backlash.
According to the Instagram bio of Mystical Shayari, they are part of what they call ‘Gender Jihad’.
The now-deleted post read, “A notice for the savages of Pakistani patriarchy. Allah (SWT) is with us, and we are ready to die but are committed to living for human rights and gender justice.”
Reaction from ‘Pakistani awaam’
While some Pakistanis called them vulgar, others termed the dresses ‘abnormal’. The photographs drew strong criticism from Pakistani social media users who urged authorities to take strict action against the two models for their “disrespectful” gesture.
Journalist Ansar Abbasi said in a tweet, “The DC Islamabad @hamzashafqaat is requested to arrest the couple, who displayed extreme obscenity in public in the federal capital.” He also promoted the hashtag #ArrestTheCouple.
#ArrestTheCouple https://t.co/9lsHT0qapD
— Ansar Abbasi (@AnsarAAbbasi) August 2, 2021
People Of Pakistan Are Demanding to #ArrestTheCouple From @dcislamabad. pic.twitter.com/FCsLwWawv1
— AhsanAhsan (@AhsanAh37240024) August 3, 2021
And NOW this !!!! Fahashi is on top becoz of Aorat march. #Taliban #WelcomeBackMahira #PAKvsWI #SadafKanwal pic.twitter.com/a5kmoNwCC2
— The _Patriots (@ThePatr99873397) August 2, 2021
Erum Zaeem, Journalist, Samaa TV, questioned who permitted them to have such photoshoot.
یہ اسلام آباد میں کیا ہو رہا ہے @hamzashafqaat @dcislamabad
— Erum Zaeem (@ErummKhan) August 2, 2021
یہ اجازت کس نے دی ؟؟ pic.twitter.com/M1f2y6JD9b
Is it Islamic Republic of Pakistan?
— Showbiz & News (@ShowbizAndNewz) August 2, 2021
Vulgar photoshoot Infront of Quaid e Azam statue in #Islamabad pic.twitter.com/fAQaPhnDOm
PTI’s Rashid M Khan demanded action against the couple.
@hamzashafqaat Action taken or Some female Celebrity need to twitt it 🤔🤔 pic.twitter.com/I2y0p5XCed
— 🟢راشـــــــــــــد محـــــــــمــــود 🇵🇰 (@RashidMkhan79) August 2, 2021
What is going in Pakistan
— Abdur Rauf Afridi (@AbdurRaufAfrid) August 2, 2021
Who is responsible for that to stop this nonsense act …….@ImranKhanPTI Kia ye hai #reyat_e_madina pic.twitter.com/V1omWWHf2B
یہ ایکسپریس ہائے وے اسلام آباد پر قائد اعظم کے پورٹریٹ کے آگے جو کچھ ہو رہا ہے، ملاحظہ کریں
— ارم احمد خان (@IramAKhanPK) August 1, 2021
حد ہے ویسے بے حیائی اور بے شرمی کی۔ کون ہیں یہ لوگ؟ انکو فوراً گرفتار کرنا چاہیے pic.twitter.com/N90BYLBNjl
Deputy Commissioner of Islamabad’s reply
Quoting Abbasi, Hamza Shafqaat’s office sought information on the couple. He said, “Anyone with any information may plz share with us.”
Anyone with any information may plz share with us https://t.co/nrRvD9cRky
— Office of Deputy Commissioner Islamabad (@dcislamabad) August 2, 2021
It is unclear if any action has been taken by the Islamabad administration against the couple.
