Gender in Pakistan vs. Western Values: A Comparative Perspective
❖ Liberal Ideology and Societal Sensitivity in Pakistan
A liberal acquaintance argues that gender is an unusually sensitive topic in Pakistani society. According to them, if a woman wears modern clothing in public, she instantly becomes the center of social attention, whereas in Western countries, women walk around scantily clad and no one pays attention.
❖ The “Test Case” of the Liberal Class
This friend considers it a “test case”—claiming that Pakistan will be truly developed when women can roam freely in revealing clothing without fear.
However, this perspective carries several implications, many of which are debated even within Western societies.
❖ Comparison: Superficial Thinking or Structured Planning?
This thinking is often considered superficial, as it ignores social background and foundational values.
📌 Comparing students from two entirely different educational systems using the same exam is unfair.
📌 Likewise, comparing two societies without a shared basis is shallow and misleading.
Examples:
◈ Comparing English fluency between Pakistan and the UK is illogical.
◈ Comparing cultural or religious values is like comparing skin tone between France and African countries—it lacks relevance.
◈ Asking why pork isn’t available in Pakistan based on dietary differences is foolish.
Every society has a unique structure and foundational principles, and ignoring them in judgment is unjust.
❖ British vs. Pakistani Social Structures
✔ British Society:
Rooted in individual freedom and liberal ideals, established over two centuries.
From childhood, children are exposed to and trained in these values, so scanty clothing is not viewed as abnormal.
✔ Pakistani Society:
Based on Islamic beliefs, where modesty and covering (‘satr’) are held in high regard.
These values are ingrained through upbringing from early life, which makes revealing attire a socially sensitive issue.
❖ Conflict Between Systems and Laws
When beliefs and values formed by Islamic teachings clash with liberal Western laws, it leads to social unrest.
For over two centuries, Western secular ideologies and laws have been introduced in Muslim societies, yet the majority of the public resents them.
❖ RAND Corporation Report
The American think tank RAND Corporation, in its report “Civil Democratic Islam”, suggested strategies for liberalizing Muslim societies.
These included providing resources and support to liberal segments to gradually reshape societal norms.
❖ The Result of Ideological Conflict
This planned approach has created two conflicting ideologies within society:
❀ On one hand are those who support figures like Qandeel Baloch.
❀ On the other is the silent majority, which strongly rejects such ideologies.
This division of opinion has led to growing social contradictions and intolerance, where every incident is interpreted from two opposing viewpoints.
❖ Solution to End Social Disunity
The only solution to this ideological disunity is for society to unite under one belief system.
When a single belief shapes both practical life and worldview, people will evaluate events from a common perspective and find unity in their reactions.
❖ Social Unity Based on Islamic Belief
For Muslim societies, adopting a secular ideology is nearly impossible, as Muslims are deeply connected to their faith—emotionally and intellectually.
Therefore, the only path to protect Muslim societies from ideological division is to establish Islamic belief as the legal and intellectual foundation.
Only then can Muslim societies achieve material and spiritual progress—otherwise, this disunity will persist.
