Daily Times

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.

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?

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!

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?

Political campaigner S Malaika Raza (@MalaikaSRaza),  tweeted that the real issue is not a woman smoking, it is about a woman acting independently!

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!

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.

Le Hiba (@BoomBoomHijabi) why men are considered attractive with a smoke but women aren’t?