ISLAMABAD: Pakistani actress and TV host Javeria Saud has strongly criticised aspects of the traditional matchmaking (“rishta”) culture in the country, responding to recent remarks by Mrs Khan, a well-known marriage matchmaker.
In a social media post, Javeria addressed the notion voiced by Mrs Khan that girls who are “fat” or “dark-skinned” are less confident or uncomfortable appearing in public. Mrs Khan had said girls who are fair, slim, or “chitti-gori” generally speak up more and have fewer difficulties.
Without naming Mrs Khan directly, Javeria Saud said that many elder women including aapas (sisters), phuphous, dadis (grandmothers), aunties are still “stuck on dark skin and fat body” ideals. She urged such women to wake up, speak sensibly, and stop perpetuating ignorance.
Javeria’s message has sparked debate online, with people agreeing and disagreeing over beauty standards, confidence, and how society treats women who don’t fit certain physical ideals.
