Renowned Pakistani journalist and anchor Gharidah Farooqi has found herself at the center of a social media storm following her appearance at the Islamabad Peace Talks 2026; what began as routine coverage from a high-profile diplomatic event quickly spiraled into a viral controversy; this time, not about politics, but about her wardrobe.
Gharidah attended the event wearing a green co-ord set that soon became the subject of intense online discussion. Critics were quick to point out what they described as an “ill-fitted” outfit, with some questioning whether it was appropriate for a senior journalist representing the country at an international platform. Within hours, images and clips from the event began circulating widely, sparking a wave of mixed reactions.
However, the narrative took a serious turn when Gharidah Farooqi addressed the issue herself. Responding to the backlash on her official X (formerly Twitter) account, she alleged that the images being shared online were not only taken without her consent but were also manipulated.
In a strongly worded statement, she described the situation as a “planned smear campaign,” claiming that a private-angle photograph had been morphed and circulated to malign her image. She further added that such targeted harassment was not new to her, revealing that she has been dealing with similar attacks since 2011.
Gharidah also highlighted the broader impact of such incidents, emphasizing how online trolling and image manipulation can create a climate of fear for women in public spaces. According to her, these campaigns don’t just target individuals.
