What happened: In efforts to end discrimination, Hazara University, Mansehra KPK, issued a dress code outline on January 6th, 2021 which strictly prohibits the following for women students; jeans, tights, short shirts, heavy makeup, jewelry, heavy handbags, abayas with decorations and otherwise encourages scarves, dupatta, shalwar kameez. Men on campus are also subjected to not as serious but similar restrictions strictly prohibiting wearing slippers, shorts, skinny jeans, long hair, and ponytails.
Earlier Developments: Many took to social media and protested against what they called an act of “moral policing” and also pointed out earlier biased decisions by the university. Earlier reports also mentioned administration policing co-ed mixing on-campus and banning art and cultural activities as well.
Hazara University Mansehra has come up with a ridiculous notification imposing a strict dress code on students… Welcome to Naya Pakistan, where universities instead of focusing on academics, research, qualified faculty, better facilities have started regulating dressings. pic.twitter.com/bd2oh0fmDh
— The Reluctant Hazarian (@ReluctntHazrian) January 7, 2021
#HazaraUniversity has maintained a blanket ban on art and cultural activities from last many years. The VCs and university adminst have always bowed down to rightist groups. Dissenting students have faced summons in disciplinary committee and graduates were banned from campus.
— The Reluctant Hazarian (@ReluctntHazrian) January 7, 2021
Instead of focusing on academics, research, qualified faculty and issues like harresment, Hazara University has issued a new dress code for the students.The notification says that the female students will not be allowed to wear jeans, tights, t-shirts and they will not be able… pic.twitter.com/fcTLONHFPy
— PRSF Islamabad Rawalpindi ☭ (@ProgStudentsFed) January 10, 2021
However, some continue to appreciate this decision as a step towards returning to a more traditional way of learning and socializing, claiming to uphold Islamic values in learning.
This one made my day wallah.
Pakistani University bans Jeans, T-shirts and makeup for female students.
❤ ❤
— Parvez Ibni Hajira. (@IbnParvez) January 10, 2021
Hazara university dress code is being criticised but oxford university dress code is proudly liked
— Fajar (@Fajarali24) January 10, 2021