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Shaniera Akram has something to say about Pakistanis and their comments on weight

Shaniera Akram has something to say about Pakistanis and their comments on weight

The social activist took to her Instagram Stories to express how both weight gain and weight loss are criticised in the country.
20 Dec, 2021

Shaniera Akram is not one to mince words and often calls a spade a spade, especially when it comes to people disrespecting others. The Australian social activist recently had something to say about Pakistanis overstepping boundaries and pointing out changes in someone's body.

Akram shared two stories on Instagram to show two sides of the coin where if a person gains weight, people let them know what changes their body has gone through, and on the other end of the spectrum, if a person loses weight, that too merits a comment (these people believe) as they whip out a before and after comparison.

It's no mystery that people are still not clear about boundaries and what's an appropriate topic of conversation — spoiler alert, someone's weight is NOT. In one way or another we're all learning to define our own boundaries but if it is understandable that our own boundaries need to be respected, it should be a no-brainer to respect someone else's. And some boundaries fall within the folds of common decency — making comments about someone's physique is just not acceptable.

Some really great advice circulating on social media a while back was if they can't change the thing you're pointing out in their body within five minutes, don't make the comment. And to clarify, some examples of such comments would be letting someone know they've got lipstick on their teeth or their fly is unzipped.

This is not the first time Akram has talked about habits that Pakistanis need to work on — she also spoke about road safety, publicly taking on Minal Khan and her then fiancé Ahsan Mohsin Ikram for not wearing seatbelts and making videos while driving. She, along with husband and former cricketer Wasim Akram, have also addressed the horrible littering situation at Clifton beach in Karachi.

Akram has advocated for Pakistan many a time and aside from her verbal support, her philanthropic activities have also been the reason why she's won over Pakistanis. It only seems fair to listen to Pakistan's bhabhi, especially when she's speaking about something that needs to be addressed and worked on.

Body positivity has made headway and people are learning to accept and love their own bodies instead of trying to fit into the image of what society considers attractive. To aid this journey, it is important to refrain from criticising someone's body — be it weight or anything else. Sometimes, the best thing to do is just stay quiet.

Comments

M. Saeed Dec 20, 2021 01:36pm
Sometimes, the best thing to do is just stay quiet but, then there should be no space for comments on such matters.
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Fast comment Dec 20, 2021 01:46pm
Pakistanis never satisfied if you gain weight it’s “obesity “ if you loss weight it’s “ alarmingly sick” if you are average, again there’s a question, “ how you are average” Shaniera is right. People must keep their stomach 1/4 empty, drink more clean water, you are fine.
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ST Dec 20, 2021 02:00pm
Shaniera seems she has quite sometime to ponder over trivial things . Pls get busy with some productive work.
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SKF Dec 20, 2021 04:13pm
Pakistanis are unhappy in each case.
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Imdad Dec 20, 2021 04:33pm
@ST You need to do the same.
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Naveed Dec 20, 2021 04:41pm
Why should we take the limits set by shaniera akram to be a universal standard. I have my own standards and i do tell people, when they are fat. It helps them get thin
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Ali da Malanga Dec 20, 2021 07:09pm
She doesn't talk about the racism that is prevalent in Australia against people from South Asia.
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Asif Dec 20, 2021 08:31pm
She is absolute gem. A very good human.
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SMH Dec 21, 2021 12:12am
Yes “Sometimes the best thing to do is just stay quiet”. Better not say anything if you have nothing good to say…
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A shah Dec 21, 2021 12:33am
She absolutely loves India
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optimist Dec 21, 2021 12:59am
Mrs. Wasim Akram is knocking on the wrong door. Pakistani culture is different from the rest of the world, people here like to insult people and happy to criticize all the time.
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amjad Dec 21, 2021 07:45am
No matter what ppl say don't give a damn just know that you have to stay healthy and fit. That is it its like there second nature to interfere others matter. Hats off to shanira
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Yasser Dec 21, 2021 07:47am
It's not a Pakistani thing, it's a desi thing Doesn't make it right, but let's not all put this on pakistanis
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ABU TALIB Dec 21, 2021 09:46am
Purely Pakistani mind set.
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Ali Vazir Dec 21, 2021 10:52am
Wasim Akram has all the reasons for falling in love again and again with Shaniera.
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NK Sologar Dec 21, 2021 11:57am
@Ali da Malanga Or in Pakistan!
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AHadi Dec 23, 2021 05:05am
In western culture talking women weight is big nonsense. Person is more than apparent physical look and we should avoid stupidities
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Rehana Bounse Dec 26, 2021 06:50pm
@Naveed a No No. you can’t even talk with your own kids like this anymore. Be polite & be tactful. Weight is a very personal matter . You absolutely do not do that
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