Imran Khan’s wife sparks debate in Pakistan after wearing niqab at ceremony

Bushra Bibi, the wife of Pakistan’s new Prime Minister Imran Khan, stole the spotlight with her white niqab during the swearing-in-ceremony last week.

Photos of Bushra Bibi were circulated on social media networks with many describing her as “the bringer of joy for Pakistan.”

However, her burqa stirred controversy as some criticized her for choosing to wear it because it affects the image of Pakistani women in the world.

Journalist and activist Sameera Khan said on Twitter: “She has every right to wear what she wants but as the wife of Pakistan’s leader, she represents all Pakistani women.”

“When the international community sees Pakistan as a regressive state that oppresses women, this is not the greatest representation of Pakistani women,” she also said, adding: “Nowhere in the Quran does it mandate covering everything but the eyes.”

Twitter user Azfar replied to Sameera and said: “So what? She should take off her veil and drop some inches in her cleavage like yourself just to show the western world? How is that a representation of freedom and progressive society??”

Khan married Bushra Bibi in February.