Pakistan's TV "vigil-aunty" causes a stir

Jan 28

Pakistan's TV "vigil-aunty" causes a stir

TV host Maya Khan faces online backlash after chasing couples in a park for her show.

On a recent episode of her morning show, Pakistani TV host Maya Khan featured a live segment where she chased couples in a popular Karachi park. Accompanied by a group of women and a camera crew, Khan asked the pairs if they were dating or engaged. After one couple told her that they were married, Khan asked to see their marriage license.

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Pakistan's TV "vigil-aunty" causes a stir

TV host Maya Khan faces online backlash after chasing couples in a park for her show.

Maya Khan. A vigil-aunty. :P
— Anthony Permal (anthonypermal) Sun, Jan 22 2012 02:41:43

How would Maya Khan feel about the Taliban asking her why she doesn't wear a hijab or burqa?
— Omar Waraich (OmarWaraich) Sun, Jan 22 2012 02:22:23

The one and only #MayaKhan http://t.co/A6aYSCfm

#MayaKhan what a shame! Use the power and liberty which you have. Don't abuse it.
— hassanamajid Thu, Jan 26 2012 05:05:54

@Be3sBuzz there... I </3 #MayaKhan DP via @araysuno http://t.co/3v7QBukY

#MayaKhan : Date Busters #Pakistan http://t.co/0CVWlGog

I propose a massive date day at the park- come & speak 2 us #MayaKhan- I'm sure our responses will make 4 entertaining tv
— Sharmeen Obaid (sharmeenochinoy) Sun, Jan 22 2012 03:11:57

Beware of #MayaKhan #Karachi http://t.co/1vNsxK4s

#MAYAKHAN http://t.co/PU4ziwQX

Blogger <a target="_blank" href="http://mehreenkasana.wordpress.com/2012/01/22/an-open-letter-to-maya-khan/">Mehreen Kasana</a> gave a long and impassioned critique in an open letter to Maya Khan:

Young people fall in love all the time. Sometimes they don’t – it’s just infatuation. Sometimes they do and they’re confused as hell and they still go out to understand the significance of the other. In the process, they pick a location like normal people do where they can sit down and spend time together.
— Fri, Jan 27 2012 13:51:01

Sometimes they make the right decision, sometimes they make mistakes. It’s called being human. But trust me, they don’t need a team of middle aged women hounding them down public places to enlighten them about their decisions. And trust me, their mothers will handle whatever happens. No one asked you or anyone else to take the responsibility of scrutinizing them.
— Fri, Jan 27 2012 13:50:52

See, what worries me a lot is when public figures like you with considerable influence on viewers morph into moral police. In a country like Pakistan where public vigilantism has exceeded levels of brutality, the last thing the youth needs is a team of moral watchdogs sniffing around for “impure” behavior.
— Fri, Jan 27 2012 14:55:21

I understand that you might be fretting about the welfare of young women in this society. I do too along with thousands of other well-to-do folks. But there’s a difference between you and me: I don’t publicize their actions on a local TV channel, I don’t chastise them for going out on a date and I don’t expect people to slut-shame the girl or the boy into hiding. I let them be unless and until they ask for help or if there is eminent danger.
— Fri, Jan 27 2012 07:08:24

After the wave of criticism, Samaa TV and Maya Khan issued a public apology.<br>

Khan says: "Our job is to only spread humanity and laughter. If it is every parent's prerogative to know where their children are, if you care about this, then I'm giving you an open invitation for discussion and positive feedback."

Many netizens were left unsatisfied with her response.<br>

#MayaKhan made a video. Again. The public apology is not going well. #Karachi #Pakistan
— Sarah Dawood (SarahDawood) Wed, Jan 25 2012 23:39:25

it would have been lot better if #MayaKhan had made firm apology with a solemn face in her program studio. #SAMAATV
— Asif Sattar (Aseff_Sattar) Wed, Jan 25 2012 13:50:16

After #MayaKhan's apology is it safe to go back to kissing in public?
— Jeddy Khan (JeddyKhan) Wed, Jan 25 2012 12:42:21

#MayaKhan's apology isn't enough. #samaTV should axe the program or change the host.
— konaberwalla (konaBerwalla) Wed, Jan 25 2012 06:58:10

When did #Pakistan s biggest problem become couples in parks? #MayaKhan should be ashamed of her act and lame apology.
— Zeeshan Humayun (ZeeshanHumayun) Wed, Jan 25 2012 20:43:22

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Pakistan's TV "vigil-aunty" causes a stir

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