Singer and social activist Jawad Ahmad has drawn sharp criticism on social media following remarks he made about women’s clothing and the concept of purdah during a recent podcast.
The controversy began when a female listener challenged his views during the discussion. The exchange quickly became tense, as Ahmed responded by saying people should first assess their own conduct before criticising others.
He stated that appearing without a dupatta reflected freedoms achieved through past struggles. According to him, those efforts enabled women to live according to their personal choices.
Jawad Ahmad has only exposed himself as a misogynist who thinks women’s freedom and politics depend on men like him… pathetic ignorant pos. pic.twitter.com/qfBBcAhu90
— Dexie (@dexiewrites) January 18, 2026During the same conversation, he referred to the veiling practices of the wife of former prime minister Imran Khan and the head coverings worn by his sisters. He said they had described their approach as the “best form of veil.” He also made a remark about actress Mahira Khan that many listeners found inappropriate.
After clips from the podcast circulated online, reactions intensified across social platforms. Many users criticised Ahmed’s tone and wording, arguing that disagreement should not come at the cost of respect or decorum.
The debate has since highlighted wider tensions around public discourse, gender norms, and the responsibility of public figures when addressing sensitive social issues.
