Satire: How to rescue Mehwish from Tamgha backlash, actors tell us

In the ZAB Media Festival's live session on film and TV, moderated by journalist Manal Faheem Khan, panelists have focused on the techniques how to make society accept that Mehwish Hayat has won Tamgha-i-Imtiaz through nomination, and not by snatching it from the president.

"We can start a campaign on social media giving shout-outs that Mehwish is a Tamgha holder now, and there is nothing you people, I mean the people at large, can do about that,” said thoughtful Laal Kabootar actor Mansha Pasha.

"Our society thinks women, especially those like Mehwish Hayat, need to get grey head first to be eligible for the highest award,” she said.

“Gone are those days now.”

She predicted that after Mehwish, she could be awarded the Tamgha.

“If actress as simple as Mehwish can be awarded the Tamgha, why not me too? Mujh me kia kami hi to receive the Tamgha?”

Hareem supported Mansha, "Our film industry is very small; luckily, it has women with brain and looks. First, those with looks can be awarded Tamghas; later on, those with brains can be rewarded Tamghas. And I can wait for being on the list of brainy people.”

Also, Eman Suleman's recent LSA nomination came under discussion.

Hareem said, "We're living in a time where women receiving such prestigious awards are questioned but nobody stands up and questions when a harasser is getting awards."

"There's a certain demonisation of women in Pakistan. They can do no right by people. Women are pitted against each other, it's unfortunate and it benefits no one. Women are judged for everything except for their achievements, and that needs to stop now," Mansha concluded, according to dawn.com