It seems like the social media sphere in Pakistan has gone in flames as pictures emerge of Pakistani actress Mahira Khan and Indian actor Ranbir Kapoor in New York sharing a smoke that has gone viral. These pictures which were apparently taken by some rogue paparazzi are now creating a lot of buzz in Pakistan especially amongst the conservative sections of the society who view Mahira’s act as morally regressive and against the collective values of the country she represents. On the contrary, despite all the hateful slurs that are being targeted towards Mahira Khan on social media many brave voices from all walks of life are coming forward to defend Mahira’s personal freedom and privacy. Here are some of the positive tweets that really got our attention because of their support for Mahira Khan and rejection of misogyny. The #MahiraKhan incident is a perfect example of double standards in South Asian society. Men can do whatever they want, but women can’t. — sai sailaja seshadri (@Saisailu97) September 22, 2017 Asma Shirazi, @AsmaShirazi one of Pakistan’s leading women journalist and anchor person also tweeted why a woman smoking a cigarette has become such a hot topic? There is nothing important than #MahiraKhan cigarette @TheMahiraKhan ,hypocritical society, men are ok with smoking but women aren’t ? — Asma Shirazi (@asmashirazi) September 22, 2017 Zahra Salah Uddin (@applescruuuff), a Karachi based music writer tweeted an old Pakistani newspaper ad which use to have women models for advertisement of the tobacco industry. Decades later we see our own cigarette loving Pakistan character assassinating Mahira Khan! Pakistan 1963: print ad for women by the Pakistani tobacco company.Pakistan 2017: @TheMahiraKhan smokes??????? ohoo, haw haey, bak bak, pic.twitter.com/TI41OT8fOQ — Zahra Salah Uddin (@applescruuuff) September 22, 2017 Even men stood up against this hypocrisy as Faizan Lakhani (@faizanLakhani), a Karachi based sports reporter questioned the double standards shown by men over this incident? Prominent Pakistani musician Momina Mustehsan (@MominaMustehsan), also came to Mahira’s defense and tweeted why are only women targeted in our society? Jesus. Can we please give @TheMahiraKhan a break?! Why are we so quick to judge and attack?! Esp if it’s a woman in question. It’s her life! — Momina Mustehsan (@MominaMustehsan) September 21, 2017 Political campaigner S Malaika Raza (@MalaikaSRaza), tweeted that the real issue is not a woman smoking, it is about a woman acting independently! Women smoking isn’t an issue! Real issue is a Woman breaking the taboos and acting “Independent”! Deal with it! #MahiraKhan https://t.co/ZuPjl1oDk8 — S Malaika Raza (@MalaikaSRaza) September 22, 2017 She further tweeted that the real issue here must be criticising smoking as an unhealthy habit, which is detrimental to the health of all men or women! Smoking is injurious to health, equally bad for both men & women. Do not make it a religious or Gender issue. — S Malaika Raza (@MalaikaSRaza) September 22, 2017 Some other tweets which we found equally fascinating! Snober Abbasi (@snobers), – an Islamabad based feminist and communication officer tweeted the importance of deleting one’s browsing history especially for those raising their fingers against Mahira Khan’s character. Before you comment on #MahiraKhan‘s dress/smoking, please go ahead and check your browsing history. Period. — Snober Abbasi (@snobers) September 22, 2017 Ali Zafar (@AliZafarSays) tweeted a poem which he wrote to express his solidarity withMahiraKhan , “Every woman has the right to make her own choices in life (as long as she’s not hurting anyone else) just like we men do,” @TheMahiraKhan pic.twitter.com/N9Uiw6yyip — Ali Zafar (@AliZafarsays) September 22, 2017 Mashood Ahmed (@mashoodmyself), called for peace between India and Pakistan over a smoke! Divided by Countries, United by Sutta!#MahiraKhan pic.twitter.com/naunzGNkMw — Mashood Ahmed (@mashoodmyself) September 22, 2017 Le Hiba (@BoomBoomHijabi) why men are considered attractive with a smoke but women aren’t? When men do it, it looks attractiveWhen women do it, it becomes haraam#doublestandards #MahiraKhan pic.twitter.com/oYNNpfHoQx — Le Hiba (@BoomBoomHijabi) September 22, 2017 Last but not the least our very own Islamabad based actor Osman Khalid Butt (@aClockworkObi), posted a sarcastic picture of himself and another male actor smoking a cigarette that clearly challenges the double standards around this incident. Kudos to his creative imagination it’s about time we stop judging women in our society! ‘SHOCKING: Behaya male actor cigarette-noshi kartay huay pakray gaye – sharmnaak manazir’.. said NO ONE EVER.F*** your double standards. pic.twitter.com/t91Owh1D1i — Osman Khalid Butt (@aClockworkObi) September 22, 2017