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This country never fails to surprise us. A world where the crime rate is on the peak and poverty is taking a toll over us, the education system is still attempting to wrap their tiny brains around the concept of why don’t women cover themselves entirely and how a sleeveless top is considered as ‘inappropriate.’
Well, as sad as it is, recently, The Institute of Business and Management (IM&B) of the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) released a notification on dress code which included female students to wear a scarf or dupatta while imposing a ban on sleeveless shirts and capri pants.
It also made it compulsory for male students to wear shalwar kameez on Fridays. It further states that the UET administration would not allow any student to appear on the campus in jeans. The notification said the dress code is approved by the competent authority would be observed from March 11, 2019.
Moreover, “in case of violation, Rs 5,000 fine will be imposed and (the offender) would not be allowed to attend the classes that day,” the notification read.
To the above notification, this is how people responded.
One user wrote how its about time the universities step into this century.
Female students of UET Lahore pay 5,000 PKR for not wearing a dupatta/scarf. Dress codes are by design sexist; protect men's discomfort with power-sharing and communicate that women's bodies are inertly vessels of shame. Time to step into this century.
— Aisha Sarwari (@AishaFSarwari) March 3, 2019
Another user stated that they also issued a rule for men
Well, actually…They HAVE imposed a dress code for the men as well: dress pants and button downs with waistcoats/coats Mon-Thurs, Shalwar Kameez on Friday.
— Noor RK (@NRKcoffeeqalam) March 3, 2019
Here’s what another user tweeted after the latest issue
Before bad mouthing institutions/people, the objectors need to refer to the Quran & Hadith that God has prescribed dress codes for both men and women. For such criticism only bares their own lack of knowledge.
— ProBonoPublico (@Pro_BonoPublico) March 3, 2019
One more user went against the tweet and said that it’s OKAY to follow the rule
Really women can only share power with out Dupatta/Scarf. Is a women strength in showing off their bodies?
Its just a dress code follow it. They are not telling you what to do outside uni. Like every office has a dress code.
So don't make it a big deal— Mushahid Khan (@Mushahid__Khan) March 3, 2019
Another user mentioned that nothing should be imposed on students!
There is a difference between teaching modesty and imposing modesty. If a student is wearing objectionable clothes, there's some shortcomings in the teachings. Imposing such laws is not a solution. It's just suppressing the whole issue.
— aLLy (@ScotPakboi) March 4, 2019
Ridiculous?
Ugh ridiculous
— Nosheen Abbas (@Goshno) March 4, 2019
After the feedback of the masses, the ban on listed dressing was lifted and UET-IB&M Director Prof Dr. Muhammad Shoaib stated that the certain change wasn’t accepted by many. He added, “we will be planning to ask students for formal dressing at least once a week or so,”
We’re yet to witness the changes that this university has introduced and see how that pans out. Let us know if you have anything more to add to this story.
