Nihal Hashmi Faces Criticism Over Remarks to Female Graduates at University Convocation

KARACHI: Nihal Hashmi has drawn criticism following remarks he made to female graduates during a university convocation ceremony, where he joked about weddings and family relationships while addressing students.

During his speech, the governor asked female graduates to raise their hands if they would invite him to their weddings. After some students responded, he jokingly remarked that students seated on one side of the hall appeared more willing to invite him than those on the other. He also offered prayers for the graduates’ future married lives.

Hashmi later turned to the topic of relationships between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, asking students whether they would treat their mothers-in-law like their own mothers. His comments, made in a lighthearted manner, prompted mixed reactions from the audience.

گورنر سندھ کو شاید اپنے عہدے اور مرتبے کا نہیں پتا، ان کو اتنا تو پتا ہونا چاہیے کہ یہ ایک گورنر ہیں اور female graduates سے خطاب کر رہے ہیں، یہ ویڈیو دیکھ کر مجھے انتہائی افسوس ہوا۔ بیچاری بچیاں اس طرح کے سوالوں سے شرمندہ ہو رہی ہیں اور گورنر صاحب ایک کے بعد ایک فضول سوال پوچھ… https://t.co/jTbXzatF0v

— Hina Parvez Butt (@hinaparvezbutt) July 5, 2026

Following the circulation of a video of the event on social media, Hina Parvez Butt, a senior leader of the Pakistan Muslim League (N), publicly criticized the governor’s remarks.

In her response, Butt said the comments were inappropriate for someone holding the office of governor and argued that the audience consisted of female graduates attending an academic ceremony. She said she felt disappointed after watching the video and described the questions as unnecessary, adding that they could have caused embarrassment to some of the students.

The exchange has generated discussion on social media, with differing opinions expressed over whether the governor’s remarks were harmless humor or inappropriate for the formal setting of a university convocation.