September 10, 2025
By Iqra Manzoor
LAHORE
Fashion designer Maria Butt, popularly known as Maria B, has submitted her defence before the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in response to a complaint filed against her over what activists describe as sustained anti-transgender hate campaigns on social media.
The complaint, lodged earlier in August by a transgender and activist Seema Butt, accused the designer of defaming the transgender community by circulating videos and comments targeting them.
Maria B’s defence: ‘Right to free speech’
Reportedly, Maria B’s counsel, Barrister Mian Ali Ashfaq, appeared before the NCCIA on September 2 and submitted a written response.
The defence argued that the designer was exercising her constitutional right to freedom of speech and expression under Article 19 of Pakistan’s Constitution. It stated that her remarks were “reasonable opinions on matters of public concern” and made “within the ambit of lawful expression, in good faith and for the larger public good.”
The response further contended that since the individuals in the circulated video were wearing masks and not clearly identifiable, her post could not amount to defamation of any specific person. Maria B also alleged that the complaint was filed with “malicious intent” to harass her.
Voicepk has been trying to reach out to Barrister Mian Ali Ashfaq, counsel to Maria B, but there has been no response yet.
Case background
In August, Lahore police booked around 60 transgender persons and others after Maria B uploaded videos and photos of what she claimed was an “objectionable” private gathering. Some arrests followed, but a local magistrate dismissed the case, ruling that no incriminating evidence linked the transgender individuals to any crime.
This was not the first time Maria B had used her platform to target transgender persons. In 2022, she openly celebrated the banning of Joyland, Pakistan’s official Oscars submission, calling it a “shameful transgender satanic show.”
Activists reject Defence: ‘This Is Harassment’
Transgender activist and founder of the Gender Interactive Alliance (GIA), Bindiya Rana, strongly rejected Maria B’s claims. Speaking to Voicepk, she said:
“Maria B is trying to manipulate the situation by saying it is her freedom of speech. It was clear her video was aimed at the transgender community, and this is not the first time. She has been doing this for years, posting pictures and videos of trans activists without consent and tying them to dangerous agendas. That is not freedom of speech, that is harassment.”
Rana added that this was the first time the designer was being held accountable for her “unlawful actions,” which she said had already caused immense harm to an already vulnerable community.
‘Freedom of expression, Not hate speech’
In an earlier interview artist and activist Leena Ghani also criticised Maria B’s stance:
“She is free to speak, but people are free to hold her accountable. It’s freedom of expression, not oppression. Maria B doesn’t seem to know the difference. When she does it, it’s free speech. When we respond, it’s called hate speech. How is that fair?”
Ghani, while pointing to a pattern of repeated targeting, highlighted how Maria B often sues others for defamation when they call out her remarks.
“Whenever anyone exposes her hate rhetoric, she sues them to silence them. Now, when transgender activists have called her out with evidence, she hides behind freedom of expression. She’s using the DARVO tactic, deny, attack, and reverse victim and offender. That’s how bullies operate.”
Second complaint against Maria B: ‘I faced an acid attack’
Separately, Karachi-based transgender activist Shehzadi Rai has lodged another complaint with the Cyber Crime Reporting Center, citing direct threats and violence stemming from Maria B’s online campaigns.
“For four years I have been facing threats following videos made by Maria B where she targets the trans community, uses my pictures, and even links me to Israel,” Rai told Voicepk. “I have faced an acid attack, and strangers often harass me, calling me an Israeli supporter. This is extremely dangerous because I have protested against Israel from Karachi to the US. I stand with Palestine. Despite this, my pictures are being misused and false accusations are being spread. I am very vulnerable because of this hate campaign.”
Rai’s case differs from the NCCIA complaint, which was filed by Seema Butt, as it focuses on the personal risks and threats she has endured as a direct result of Maria B’s online rhetoric.
The larger debate: Free speech vs. hate speech
Activists stress that the issue goes beyond one case. They argue that while Maria B, like all citizens, has the right to free expression, that right ends where it infringes upon the dignity, safety, and freedoms of others.
“Maria B has every right to express herself, but not to spread hate,” said one activist. “Freedom of speech comes with responsibility. Sharing misinformation, defaming communities, and exposing vulnerable individuals is not free speech. It is harassment. Everyone deserves freedom, not just Maria B.”