BY : KHURRAM SHEHZAD AWAN
Islamabad — 09July 2025
In countries where politics, religion, and tradition are tightly woven into public life, clothing often becomes a battleground — especially for women. In Pakistan, this battleground has moved onto sports fields, where female athletes face not only the pressure to perform, but also threats, criticism, and intimidation for wearing what is globally considered standard sportswear: shorts.
Religious extremists and conservative elements in society have increasingly targeted women athletes, questioning their morality, “Pakistani identity,” and religious values — simply because of what they wear while competing.
Maria Toorpakai Wazir: Defying Extremism with a Racket:
Born in South Waziristan, one of Pakistan’s most conservative tribal regions, Maria Toorpakai Wazir broke nearly every taboo placed upon girls in her community. At a young age, Maria rejected traditional gender norms by cutting her hair short and dressing as a boy so she could freely participate in sports. Introduced to squash by her father — a liberal-minded teacher and advocate of girls’ education — Maria began competing professionally. But as her visibility grew, so did the threats. The Taliban in her region issued direct death threats, condemning her for wearing shorts, competing in sports, and “dishonoring tribal values.” For years, Maria was forced to train secretly at home, hitting balls against the walls of her room, while her family lived under continuous threat of violence. Militants often left menacing letters outside her door, and her family had to go underground to avoid attacks. Her courage, however, never wavered. With international support, Maria eventually moved to Canada, where she could train safely. Today, she is not only an accomplished squash player but also a global advocate for women’s rights and freedom through sport. Her story stands as a powerful testament to the price of defiance — and the possibility of hope beyond fear.
SAFF Women’s Championship 2022: A Win Overshadowed by Clothing Controversy:
Pakistan’s women’s football team returned to the international scene in 2022 after an eight-year hiatus and secured a powerful 7–0 victory against the Maldives in the SAFF Championship. It should have been a moment of celebration. Instead, controversy struck when a Pakistani journalist criticized the team for wearing shorts, asking:
“Why couldn’t they wear leggings in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan?”
The statement sparked outrage online, not because it was surprising — but because it echoed a recurring sentiment in the country: that a woman’s clothing is fair game for public judgment, regardless of context.
Squash player and activist Noorena Shams was one of the first to respond. On Twitter, she asked:
“Did anyone ask where public funds are going? Why are women’s clothes always the national crisis?”
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The Morality Police in Sports:
In many Pakistani communities, particularly in rural and tribal areas, female participation in sports is discouraged — and when it does occur, it comes under surveillance.
Extremist groups and hardline clerics have previously issued threats, labeling women athletes “immodest” or “Westernized.” In some cases, female players have received online death threats, harassing phone calls, and pressure from family or local authorities to quit sports altogether.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, several inter-school girls’ sports events have been cancelled over the years due to threats from religious groups.
In Balochistan, teenage footballer Maria Baloch shared in interviews how her team was told not to post pictures in shorts on social media for fear of “community backlash.”
In Lahore, hockey and basketball players have reported being pressured by school officials to “cover up more” even when following international sports dress codes.
Noorena Shams: From Disguise to Defiance:
Noorena’s own story is a mirror of these struggles. Raised in Dir, a deeply conservative district in northern Pakistan, she had to disguise herself as a boy to play cricket. Later, she moved on to squash and cycling, representing Pakistan at the national and international levels.
But even at elite levels, the pressure didn’t fade.
> “You are constantly being judged. If not your sport, then your clothes. If not your clothes, then your family, your voice, your presence,” she said in a 2023 TEDx talk.
As a member of the UN Youth Assembly and various athlete commissions, Noorena has spoken repeatedly about how women in sports are used as political symbols, often expected to “represent modesty” more than skill.
Public Reaction: Polarized but Shifting:
Following the SAFF controversy, social media in Pakistan exploded. While many conservative voices doubled down — accusing the players of “bringing shame” — thousands rallied in support of the team.
Footballer Hajra Khan, former national team captain, stated in an interview:
> “I wear shorts because that’s the global standard in football. It’s not about rebellion. I…
Following the SAFF controversy, social media in Pakistan exploded. While many conservative voices doubled down — accusing the players of “bringing shame” — thousands rallied in support of the team.
Footballer Hajra Khan, former national team captain, stated in an interview:
> “I wear shorts because that’s the global standard in football. It’s not about rebellion. It’s about performance.”
This groundswell of support represents a growing awareness among young Pakistanis — especially women — that athleticism and modesty shouldn’t be in conflict.
Systemic Silence: Where Are the Sports Federations?
Perhaps most concerning is the lack of response from sports authorities.
The Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) remained silent during the 2022 shorts controversy.
Few institutional policies exist to protect female athletes from harassment or extremist threats.
Media training for athletes is nearly nonexistent — leaving young players vulnerable to invasive questions or moral policing.
Shams criticized this silence, saying:
“You can’t expect women to give you medals abroad and silence at home.”
The Way Forward: Resisting in Motion:
Pakistan’s female athletes are beginning to reclaim their space. Through hashtags, interviews, and ground-level work, they’re reshaping the image of the Pakistani sportswoman — not as someone who must be hidden, but as someone who must be supported.
What they wear is not a sign of rebellion, but a necessity — for speed, comfort, agility, and global compliance.
Conclusion: The Real Question
The question isn’t “Why are they wearing shorts?”
It’s “Why do we fear women being visible, strong, and successful?”
Until Pakistan answers that, its female athletes will continue to battle not just on the field — but against a system that punishes them for simply showing up.
