Latest news with #AuratMarchLahore
Express Tribune
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Court defers hearing in Maria B's legal case against Shehzad Ghias
Listen to article A district and sessions court in Islamabad on Monday adjourned proceedings in a defamation case filed by designer Maria B against comedian Shehzad Ghias Sheikh. The case was heard by Additional Sessions Judge Sheikh Muhammad Sohail. Representing Maria B, Barrister Abdul Ahad Khokhar urged the court to restrain Shehzad from posting further tweets and videos, arguing that the ongoing content amounted to harmful propaganda while the case remains sub judice. Read: Maria B weighs in on farshi shalwar fashion trend 'It is necessary to restrict him from social media commentary until the matter is resolved,' said Khokhar during the hearing. Defence counsel Imaan Mazari along with Hadi Ali Chattha, appearing on behalf of Shehzad , informed the court that the power of attorney would be submitted at the next hearing. The court directed both parties to submit their written replies and scheduled arguments on the stay application for the next session. The hearing was adjourned until July 14. Later after the hearing, Shehzad posted a tweet reading simply with an emoji: '🤐' a zipped-mouth face. Previously, Shehzad published a video on his YouTube channel stating that he had received a court summons for Monday's proceedings but had yet to receive formal details of the case or specific charges. He said he suspected a First Information Report (FIR) may have been filed by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and subsequently forwarded to the court. Shehzad explained that the legal action originated from a civil defamation notice issued by Maria B but had escalated to a criminal complaint through the FIA an approach he described as excessive and aimed at curbing dissent. He maintained that his critical remarks were opinion-based and did not meet the legal threshold for defamation under Pakistani law. Read more: Maria B responds to criticism from Aurat March Lahore organisers He also said the case appeared to be linked to his past commentary and content discussing Maria B and broader issues concerning influencers, though he denied orchestrating any campaign of personal attacks. Following his video, Maria B responded in a post on her Instagram account. The video compiled excerpts from Shehzad's podcast , where he interviewed transgender rights activist Shehzadi Rai. In the clip, Shehzad refers to Maria B as a 'D-grade designer' and accuses her of using the suffering of transgender individuals to promote her brand. Rai adds that Maria B also exploited the issue of Palestine for commercial gain. The video also features Shehzad stating that a mob should attend one of Maria B's fashion shows, disrupt the event, and declare western clothing as haram, even suggesting that her garments be burned. Maria B vowed not to stay silent and confirmed that a civil notice had been issued and added that she would now pursue criminal defamation as well. Also read: Maria B in hot water again as Turkish influencer Turkan Atay alleges unpaid brand deal In late April 2025, Maria B faced a separate controversy involving a Turkish influencer. Content creator Türkan Atay accused the Maria B of failing to fulfil an agreed compensation arrangement following a promotional shoot in Istanbul. In a social media video, Türkan said the brand had accepted a 'per outfit' pricing model that factored in videography, location, and editing. 'They even agreed to it. I have all the messages,' she said. After the content was delivered, Türkan claimed the brand shifted its stance, offering payment on a 'per reel' basis instead. 'They told me, 'Oh, sorry. There's been a misunderstanding. We pay international influencers per reel,'' she recalled. Maria B responded through an Instagram Story, calling the situation 'a regrettable misunderstanding' and denying any failure to pay. 'In our 25 years, we have neither withheld payment nor retracted from our commitments,' the statement read, citing a long-standing record of fair influencer collaborations.
Express Tribune
18-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Maria B responds to criticism from Aurat March Lahore
Listen to article Maria B, one of Pakistan's leading fashion designers and successful businesswomen, has responded to the recent protest organised by the Aurat March Lahore. The protest, held on February 12 in celebration of Pakistan's National Women's Day, saw demonstrators march from the Press Club to Faletti's Hotel, carrying placards targeting Maria B and former actress Mishi Khan. In her reply, Maria B dismissed the protest, labelling it the "Qaum e Lout March" and the "Unsuccessful Women's March." She stated that the public of Pakistan had already rejected such demonstrations, and voiced disappointment at the protestors' actions. Maria B further criticised the organisers, suggesting their motivations were driven by external funding and an agenda. She expressed her belief that the majority of Pakistani women desire to live in line with Islamic teachings, striving for independence and success to support their families, rather than associating with those she described as unsuccessful in their careers. Her comments have sparked further discussion, with Maria continuing to champion women who seek to be strong contributors to their families, rather than aligning with what she perceives as a controversial movement.
Express Tribune
11-02-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Why Aurat March is in February?
Listen to article This year the Aurat March Lahore will be held on February 12th - Pakistan's National Women's Day - with the theme 'Feminist History'. The march is meant to pay tribute to the feminist struggle in the country in the past and at present. In Pakistan, February 12 is a milestone in the women's rights movement. On this day in 1983, a public demonstration was organised against the military dictatorship of General Zia-ul Haq by Women's Action Forum (WAF) and Pakistan Women Lawyers' Association (PWLA). The demonstration was meant to protest the law of evidence - which would reduce the testimony of women to half that of men - and to file a petition against it in Lahore Hight Court. Recalling the demonstration, Khawar Mumtaz, a WAF member and former Chairperson of National Commission on the Status of Women, says: "Section 144 had been imposed. So we planned to reach the high court in small groups of twos and threes. When we reached Hall Road, we saw that police had cordoned off the road so that we could not get ahead. Habib Jalib began reciting his poetry and suddenly one protester slipped through the barriers. Soon there were clouds of teargas all around, and the police started baton-charging the demonstrators. Many women were pulled to the police station and locked up. We sang revolutionary songs in the police station, prepared a press statement, and made it possible that it got out." In 1980s, the state made effective use of religious forces to achieve its objectives. It quietened political parties, imposed censorship on the press and academia, and banned students and trade unions. However, the February 12, 1983 demonstration became a symbol of women's resistance to all forms of oppression as well as their belief in an equal, equitable and just democratic order. Neelam Hussain, another WAF member and Executive Coordinator of Simorgh Women's Resource and Publication Centre, recalls the time when WAF was formed after the Fehmida/Allah Bux case. Neelam says that WAF was - and still is - a voice against all sorts of injustices. WAF strongly remonstrated against the Iraq-Kuwait war in 1990; it protested against the separate electorate system and the inclusion of the religion section in the national identity card; and launched the Joint Action Committee for People's Rights in 1986. "We were very political. However, the young feminists are trying to link personal to the political; and I appreciate their courageous efforts," she elaborates. The renewed Aurat March Movement, having the motto of ending patriarchy, got momentum in 2018. The advocates of the movement faced a huge backlash, as they called upon the state and society to consider women as equal citizens; conceive pro-women policies and laws; and ensure civic spaces for females. Aurat marchers say, "We resist to live; we march to transform." Hadia, an Aurat March Lahore volunteer, while describing the Aurat March 2025 objective, says, "First, we want to highlight that we stand on the shoulders of many feminist foremothers. Second, we want to resist the erasure of women, transgender people, and resistance movement from our histories. Third, but sadly, so many issues that we are agitating for today - harassment, safety from violence, respect for bodily autonomy, dignified labour, freedom of religion, free speech, resisting censorship and respect for democratic values and processes - are not new. We remind the state and society that we must march towards progress!" Nadia, another volunteer of Aurat March, speaks out, "Celebrating each other's struggle is important, since we need to keep the hope alive. So those who come after us see the beauty of feminist resistance. Our feminist history teaches us not only conflict and anger, but also how to bring joy and hope in movements. This Aurat March is a small step towards archiving feminist movements." The Aurat March 2025 is to honour the past and celebrate the present of feminist history. Those who believe in equal rights and democracy should join this March on 12th February to mark the 1983's historic protest on Lahore's Mall Road when women bravely stood against tyrannical state, protesting against Zia's draconian laws.
