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First Lady Bushra Imran's veil is none of your business

Bushra has drawn fresh criticism over her attire when she appeared in a veil at PM Imran Khan's oath-taking today

18 Aug, 2018

PTI Chairman Imran Khan was officially sworn in as Prime Minister today and it looks like there was as much scrutiny over his oath as there was over First Lady Bushra Imran's attire.

Bushra's choice to veil herself has long been criticised as unbecoming of a potential First Lady and the conversation appears to have resurfaced now that she's assumed the position.

Several people on Twitter have said that the criticism is uncalled for.

Criticism of Bushra's veil has rightfully been called out, for not only is it yet another instance of unwarranted policing of women's choices but also indicative of another unacceptable trend: judging men for the choices made by the women in their life.

The burqa can be a political statement but it's clear that Bushra doesn't intend to step into the public eye. She wishes to remain a private individual and her veiling precedes her marriage to Imran Khan and his subsequent coming into office. Therefore, it makes little sense to relate Imran Khan's actions with his wife's attire. It's just another case of mainstream discourse needlessly focusing on female attire.

Comments

Sahir Khan Aug 18, 2018 04:28pm

Bushra Bibi's dress code is no ones business. She is a symbol of respect for the people of Pakistan.

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Anti-Corruption_Pakistani Aug 18, 2018 05:02pm

In my view, Bushra bibi's critics are looking for cheap publicity and I say to them 'Mind your own business'. Grow up and respect other people's privacy and desires!

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Asif A. Shah Aug 18, 2018 05:06pm

Please let Bushra Imran be herself. If she does not want to project too much in public life then her wishes and her right to privacy should be respected.

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Aamer Sharif Aug 18, 2018 05:06pm

She had every right to wear dress she likes, like critics. No one has right to ask her to reveal her face. Please don’t dictate others

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m h Aug 18, 2018 05:39pm

Leave her alone her right to privacy is her business

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Sal Khan Aug 18, 2018 05:46pm

If her husband or family dont have any issues the way she dresses up then it shouldnt be anyones business to comment on her attire, its not europe where muslims get told how to dress up or are forced by laws against them to uncover their bodies.

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SHAHID SATTAR Aug 18, 2018 06:06pm

Every one has the right to choose his or her own dress. Are we going to ban the naqab and the burqa just like some European countries are doing? What right any one has to criticize a lady who observes pardah as her religion has taught her. They can do whatever they like with their own lives but they have no right to criticize someone who follows her religious beliefs and practices them.

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Amer Rao Aug 18, 2018 06:08pm

I think we should discuss other big issues in Pakistan.

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Afroze f Naqvi Aug 18, 2018 06:11pm

Please leave people alone,especially women,when it comes to personal choices,as along as their choices have no adverse effects. I agree with Amna: people are unneceesarly obsessed with with women's attire. My mother dressed same as Bushra in 70's and 80's and travelled the world. Let's just live and let others live as they deem appropriate.

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M. Saeed Aug 18, 2018 06:55pm

Beware, it is Bushra Bibi's tasbeeh and spiritual power that transformed Imran Khan and gave him such a glittering success. Let us hope he stays sane and self-sufficient onwards.

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Laeeq Ahmad Aug 18, 2018 07:08pm

"Tabdili a gai ha. ". Real secularism. It s your personal choice how you want to be dressed. If you criticize why she is wearing hajab, then you are no different than those countries who passed the law to ban the "Burqas". It is no one's business how she want to be.

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Insaafian Aug 18, 2018 07:40pm

mostly indians had issues with her outfit - says a lot about them

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putho madre Aug 18, 2018 08:16pm

A nice couple indeed.

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Khalid Aug 18, 2018 08:18pm

It’s totally private matter. We should not poke our noses into this.

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Khan Aug 18, 2018 08:49pm

She still looks graceful!

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Ihk Aug 18, 2018 08:49pm

Women letting other women down. Wow. Talk about pseudo feminism

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Changez Khan Aug 18, 2018 09:59pm

Bushra is our First Lady of Pakistan who is truly representing the teaching of Islam. We love the way she represents herself and we respect her for that. Those who do like to see her this way 'Shut the hell up'.

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Anti-Corruption_Pakistani Aug 18, 2018 10:01pm

I say to all bibi Bushra's critic ' mind your own business' and learn to respect others desires and, first, look at your backyards before criticizing others!

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Asad Aug 18, 2018 10:07pm

Where is the freedom of choice and or freedom to exercise religion? What's the problem with people on her personal choice? She is first lady of Islamic Republic of Pakistan and not that of United States.

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Zala Aug 18, 2018 10:16pm

Let’s see how the western media makes out of the choice of attire of the First Lady of Pakistan.

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Aman Aug 19, 2018 01:03am

Mashallah, she is the greatest example for the young Pakistani women in modern times to follow. I am proud of you Mrs. Imran.

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Speak_truth Aug 19, 2018 05:12am

She looks distinguished. Almost like royalty.

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THE MORNING STAR Aug 19, 2018 05:30am

None of my business. But it is Imran who surprises me.

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Vijay Aug 19, 2018 05:39am

If Pakistan's first lady decides to wear a burkha that's her business. Let's stay out of Mr. and Mrs. Khans personal life.

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Bupi Aug 19, 2018 06:25am

If she doesn't like public life then she should be at home not in event. Choice of leaving & dress code is personal aswell ones fundamental right but when one becomes publicly figer then one should do in Rome what Romens do.

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Fk Aug 19, 2018 07:13am

What is the point in getting picture?

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shahram Aug 19, 2018 07:24am

My country s first lady IS my business.

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Yamin Khan Aug 19, 2018 08:22am

Bushra bibi the great in observing pardah despite being on such a high level position in this era.

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Saad Aug 19, 2018 08:41am

It’s totally personal what people wear however since she is representing Pakistan she need to be careful. It’s better she don’t attend the function and keep herself out of such gathering or being the First Lady if she wishes to adhere to strict religious attire. Pakistani culture and her husband does not resonates well with her strict dress code. Not disrespecting her but her dress code is not representative of majority Muslims or Pakistanis. If she appear in this attire on world forums it will create an image that Pakistan is a backward country where women are suppressed which is not the reality

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Shah Aug 19, 2018 09:04am

The Way Mrs Bushra Imran Dresses Is Nobody's Business.It Looks Like Some People Have Nothing To Do All Day

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Irfan Abbasi Aug 19, 2018 09:19am

This "chacha auntie" mentality has made Pakistanis worthless in the world and they are not taken seriously. They are steered by emotions and not by intellect, They don't know where to intervene and where they have no right to. The west follows the laws but doesn't poke its nose in others' personal affairs and we don't obey the laws but deem it our birth right to poke our dirty noses in others' personal affairs.

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Radhakrishnan Pattath Aug 19, 2018 09:25am

Normally no one comments about the dress of a lady. But when the wife of a Prime Minister wears Purdah and covers his face for an official function, it is an example for all the ladies to follow. Lahore and Karachi ladies will have to be concerned.

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Rabia Aug 19, 2018 09:34am

Much as I disagree with the need to wear veils, she's right. Its nobody's business but her's.

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nasr Aug 19, 2018 09:47am

This is the best thing that has ever happened on the political scene. Behind the veil a very broad message to a very broad spectrum has been sent

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Asem Aug 19, 2018 09:49am

Don't say its ones choice of clothing, freedom bla bla bla... It just a stupidity at best. Nothing else... Stop it.

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Syed Ali Aug 19, 2018 10:03am

Does not give good impression of Pakistan .

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Haji Aug 19, 2018 10:56am

Leave her alone! None of anybody's business. We are good at criticizing everybody ...

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Dr khan afridi Aug 19, 2018 11:03am

MashaaAllah.....what happened if she prepared herself for her husband oath ceremony.......its her right in islam too.....she represents muslim women....n muslim ladies have right to fashioned n sach a sophisticated manner as bushra done........she is looking beautiful n classy even wearing hijab n abaya.......fashion is not only for other women......she represent us....we r proud of her....a lady wth spritual power,dignity n class.......

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Nadeem choudhry Aug 19, 2018 12:40pm

she is going to be new image for Pakistan that makes that my business for like it or not and off course if she like the way she can stay home and do what you like no one have issue dear we want to go forward not back ward

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Amir Razvi Aug 19, 2018 02:29pm

Why is there no respect for personal choice? Who she is has no bearing on her beliefs which should be our guiding principals. I respect her and her decision.

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M. Emad Aug 19, 2018 03:10pm

Naya First Lady .

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Rania Nasir Aug 19, 2018 05:25pm

I completely fail to understand that why are Pakistanis so obsessed with each other’s privacy? We love to criticize Mahira Khan for wearing explicit clothes, but then if our First Lady wishes to veil herself, even then we want to pass ridiculous comments about her. This actually exposes our lack of unity and hatred for each other as a nation, as well as our reluctance to appreciate each other. My fellow Pakistanis, kindly learn to be satisfied, half of our problems will be solved in an instant!

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Aziz Aug 19, 2018 10:03pm

Can we ever focus on substance instead of form?

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Zeb Aug 19, 2018 11:06pm

Regressive liberals have done this country no good. Criticizing people's attires is not the worst thing they have done.

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Rev. Eldrick Lal Aug 20, 2018 01:23am

That’s her own prerogative.

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Zala Aug 20, 2018 08:55am

It is my business because she represents Pakistan. She is the First Lady of Pakistan. She is not an ordinary citizen. How the world perceives Pakistan is important to me.

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JA Aug 20, 2018 11:13am

Well I would say in this case, the world needs to know how she looks like. She will be representing Pakistan & accompanying Imran Khan in international events in time to come. So am sure that she will need to interact with other first ladies ladies of the world. Therefore, there should be a leway in this kind of situations. Would be odd letting them think is this the Bushra madam that I was talking to yesterday? Am sure she has to bring herself out into the eyes of the world as she is the wife of PM unless she plans to avoid all these at all cost.

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M. Emad Aug 20, 2018 11:46am

@Zala: How the world perceives Pakistani leadership and people (society) ?

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Khal Aug 20, 2018 07:19pm

@Sal Khan Would you hold the same opinion if it was the other way around? For a non-muslim in a muslim country, under Sharia?

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Alina Faisal Aug 21, 2018 02:34am

Let Bushra bibi what she likes to be .if she shys away from public exposure let her enjoy her privacy

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FK Aug 21, 2018 02:47am

How can a leader claim to take Pakistan into 21st century when his wife has the attire of the middle ages. This paradox has puzzled me completely. I would rather she had a simple old fashioned Pakistani head cover which millions of women in Pakistan wear and are pretty modest.

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FK Aug 21, 2018 02:50am

@Sahir Khan it becomes everybody's business when they have voted for him to take Pakistan out of old ways into a "New Pakistan". Everything about such a man would be scrutinized. There is not much private about a public figure and this is so world over.

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Bakht_yar Aug 21, 2018 06:33am

I think she is a representative of Islamic republic of Pakistan so the the discussion with this point may stop regarding her dress choice

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Mushtaq swabi kpk Aug 21, 2018 06:47am

We did not want interuption in personal life . Imran is the hope of the people . And we want the ticket for SHAH WALI KHAN from PK 44 in by electlon

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Amir Khan Bangash Aug 22, 2018 12:04am

Her dress is in accordance with the teachings of Islam. She is the first Lady of Pakistan and we respect her for her adherence to the values of Islam.

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Waheed Khan Aug 23, 2018 09:45pm

@Bupi learn to write proper English.

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wsyed Aug 23, 2018 11:08pm

She may wear whatever at home or when visiting relatives. As a prime minister's wife she does not represent Naya Pakistan, instead a backward Pakistan where women cannot be seen so not equal. Their are other/better ways of looking modest(Chaddar) and respectful compared to thinly white Burkha. One can see she is dressed and fully made up, so what is the point of facade?

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Rashid Nasim Aug 24, 2018 01:24am

My God bless this couple and give them courage and strength. How Bushra dresses, is her believe and business. As far as I am concern; I think she looks great.

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Ahmed Aug 24, 2018 03:31pm

Yes she has the rt to wear the way she wants and given her background it appears she has chosen the veil for religious reasons. What I do not understand is the on again off again thing. Her photos without the veil are also published in newspapers

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Sue brittain Aug 24, 2018 05:15pm

Ummm? I'm guessing you guys do know Pakistan IS a Muslim country. And the problem with her niqab is what?

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Truthbetold Aug 24, 2018 06:46pm

Its not a woman's choice. It's enforcement of Men's wish on Woman. So your statement that it's woman's choice is completely wrong. They are made to do that.

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the sheikh Aug 24, 2018 07:03pm

Women who criticize her should look in the mirror and see Muslim written any where on their face. It is embarrassing to hear Muslim women in Muslim Pakistan critizing Muslim veil. The all wanna be American are brown Pakistani don't forget that.

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Feriel Aug 24, 2018 07:19pm

@Anti-Corruption_Pakistani The best comment. perfect

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Not an INdian Aug 24, 2018 07:24pm

@Insaafian Look how Indians are worried about their own women who decided to choose mini-skirt over the sari. It seems like they have a lot to worry about in their own backyard before handing down the judgments over the fence.

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Hasan Aug 24, 2018 10:11pm

Exactly... None of anybody's businesd !!!!

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RK Aug 24, 2018 11:01pm

Extremism on display... Then wonder why world doesn't listen to Pakistan.

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Imran Ahmed Aug 25, 2018 12:58am

Only the President's spouse ought to be referred to as First Lady. A PM's spouse is not a public figure nor does she/he attract any special privilege or protocol within or outside the country. Every citizen has the right to privacy and the freedom to choose his/her attire as long as it does not break any law, the PM's wife is no exception.

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Imran Ahmed Aug 25, 2018 01:00am

@Sal Khan Her husband and her family also don't have a right to tell her how to or not to dress. They may request.

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abid Aug 25, 2018 07:13am

People should stop indulging in personal affairs of Bushra. There are so many other things of public interest to be discussed.

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ravi vancouver Aug 25, 2018 07:23am

In Pakistan what women wear is as per their own free will. State does not impose any dress codes. So nobody should object to what Imran Khan's wife wear.

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Saif Aug 25, 2018 01:47pm

It is not only about per personal choice, but also about Pakistan's image. Hence people are worried. Even if she is not the PM of Pakistan, she will be representing Pakistan and mingling with other nation's dignitaries. These women are our silent ambassadors. - "Will the other nation's dignitaries' interaction be different because of her dress code?" - "Will their perception of Pakistan gets changed because of her attire?" - These are the worries.

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