Pakistani actress Maryam Nafees has sparked widespread discussion online after sharing a powerful message about women's safety and societal priorities. While the actress did not mention anyone by name, many social media users speculated that her remarks were an indirect response to recent statements made by singer Falak Shabir regarding women's clothing, fueling a fresh debate across digital platforms.
Taking to Instagram, the actress shared a video in which she candidly addressed the alarming challenges faced by women, arguing that conversations should focus on their safety and protection rather than repeatedly centering on their clothing choices.
In the emotionally charged video, Maryam highlighted various forms of violence and discrimination women continue to face.
She stated: “Shadi sy inkaar kar dain to usko maar dety hain, koi stranded hai apni gaari mein baithi hai apnay bachon ky saath toh usko rape kr dety hain, bachi hai to kidnap kar lety hain or aagy beech dety hain rape kr dety hain, shadi ho jaye toh usky baad kisi wajah sy jala dety hain usko maar dety hain, doctor hai to din dihaaray usky ooper acid phenk dety hain, agar paida ho hi gai hai toh usko kachray ky dabby mein daal dety hain ya nehar mei baha dety hain lekin kapron ky baary mein baat karty hain because that is the biggest issue of our society. I don’t even know what to say anymore.” (If they refuse marriage, they kill them; if someone is stranded sitting in her car with her children, they rape her; if it's a young girl, they kidnap her and sell her off or rape her; if she gets married and then, for some reason, they burn her or kill her; if she is a doctor, they throw acid on her in broad daylight; if she is born at all, they throw her into a garbage bin or dump her in a canal, yet they talk about clothes because that is the biggest issue of our society. I don’t even know what to say anymore.)
Further, the actress penned a note that reads: “Kapro ke topic ke hatt kar is waqt aurat ko tahafuz dene ki baat karna zyada important hai - it’s plain as simple as that!
Bigger issues, lives at risk, lack of accountability and justice, but we’re stuck on kapre. The conversation needs to shift and THAT’S what I’m talking about!”
Fans and followers flooded in comment section. One social media user commented: “Mothers have not raised their sons right, or may be forgot to raise their sons at all, or may be put all efforts on their daughters to control them and in killing their self respect and prestige!”
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Another wrote: “Please raise your voice to ban acid in the country. These talks are not going to melt anyone’s heart. We need to focus on practical solutions and real factors that can prevent such crimes and protect people’s lives.”
One penned: “I am so afraid of the current situation going on in the country for every single women who is not safe ,sometimes i felt so uncomfortable going in the market because of this Allah plz har aurat ,beti ki hifazat farma ,hum pay raham kar AMEEN”
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However, not everyone agreed with the actress's perspective. Several users argued that discussions about modesty and clothing should continue alongside conversations about crime and justice.
One critic commented: “Yes, clothes should be discussed. People lose the argument when they use the criminal actions of a few monsters to justify not discussing hijab. Crimes should be treated as crimes, and what we need is a functioning judiciary, swift trials, and strict punishments.”
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Another user wrote:
“What you said should definitely be discussed, but that doesn't mean inappropriate dressing should not be discussed. Every issue is important.”