Maria B faces inquiry over ‘obscene’ transgender party video

LAHORE: The National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has launched an inquiry against fashion designer Maria B over a controversial video she posted on social media regarding the transgender community.

According to officials, a formal notice was issued to the designer on Saturday. She has been summoned to appear before the agency on August 26.

The inquiry was initiated after a complaint was filed by Naeem Butt, also known as Seema Butt, who accused Maria B of spreading propaganda against transgender persons on social media.

The controversary stemmed from a video Maria B shared on her Facebook, claiming that it was an “objectionable dance party” held to promote obscenity and satanic symbols.

She also linked it to the upcoming release of the film Joyland, which centres on the transgender community.

The designer claimed that the videos were sent to her by some young and underage children who had gone to the party but were unaware that something like this would happen there.

In the video, Maria B demanded government action against the participants and organisers of the party, which she claimed was held in Lahore.

Following the controversy, Punjab police had arrested several transgender persons. However, a local court later dismissed the case, ruling that there was no evidence connecting the detainees to the alleged offences.

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The court order also rejected the request for their physical remand and acquitted them of all charges.

Maria B has in the past openly spoken against what she described as the growing influence of transgender people and homosexuality in Pakistan.

She has hired Barrister Mian Ali Ashfaq to represent her. “Consultations are under way regarding the matter,” the lawyer said.

Another controversy involving  Maria B surfaced in April when Turkish influencer Turkan Atay accused the designer of non-payment for a marketing shoot.

Atay did not mince words questioning Maria B’s integrity and adherence to ethics: “It has been three months, they have treated me unprofessionally and I will not be letting go of this.”