Lahore: Punjab Women Protection Authority Chairperson Hina Parvez Butt has responded to Pakistani actress Hina Altaf’s remarks describing Karachi as a prison for women, inviting the actress to visit Lahore and experience the city for herself.
In a video message, Hina Parvez Butt said Hina Altaf should come to Lahore, claiming that women there feel safer than they do in London.
She said protecting women is a key priority under Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s leadership, adding that the provincial government is committed to creating an environment where women can move around freely without fear.
Butt also claimed that measures have been introduced in Lahore to protect women from harassment and violence.
What Did Hina Altaf Say About Karachi?
The controversy began after Hina Altaf shared a video of herself walking along the streets of London.
In the video, the actress suggested that returning to Karachi would mean going back to a life resembling imprisonment because women and girls cannot move around freely there.
Her remarks sparked a discussion about women’s safety, personal freedom and the challenges women face in public spaces in Pakistan’s major cities.
Debate Over Women’s Safety
Hina Parvez Butt’s response has brought the discussion into the spotlight, with contrasting views emerging about women’s security and freedom of movement in Karachi and Lahore.
While Butt highlighted the Punjab government’s efforts to protect women, her comparison with London reflected her own assessment of safety in Lahore.
The exchange has renewed debate over the measures needed to ensure that women can travel, work and socialise safely in public spaces across Pakistan.