New Delhi: Pakistani fashion designer and actor Deepak Perwani’s recent admission of India being better than Pakistan has divided Pakistanis. While some want him to ‘go to India’, others can’t help but agree with him.
The 50-year-old acclaimed designer, who is a Sindhi Hindu, shared his candid thoughts on the contrasting realities of life in Pakistan and India during an interview with Aamna Haider on her show Haute Talk on Friday.
Perwani, who recently travelled to India, said that one of the most striking differences between the two countries lies in the sense of freedom and joy among ordinary people. “If you see their lives comparatively, Indians have it better. Happiness abounds. People laugh and live their lives. Women walk on the streets freely, ride cycles and motorbikes. Even the rickshaw pullers and cab drivers have UPI,” he said.
Perwani’s perspective was not just about the physical infrastructure—he further noted that “it’s far more dynamic” when contrasting India’s more open, bustling environments with the more concrete-heavy, less pedestrian-friendly urban areas in Pakistan. “There are pavements and footpaths too. It’s not a concrete jungle,” he added, comparing it to the roads of Karachi.
‘Go to India’
One Instagram user, Ebtesham, supported Perwani’s view, asserting that only those who have not experienced the freedoms he mentioned would criticise him.
Dr Nosheen Zareen Khan, in a long comment, argued that the inability to accept the reality of Pakistan’s challenges has prevented the country from making real progress.
“Pakistan is a third-world country with a low economy rate. Who is safe in Pakistan? Not even a 4 year old kid. Wherever you see, Indians are making a name for themselves. Accept the reality and do something productive. Get out of the illusion that we are exceptional and there is no one like us,” she said.
Some voices, like that of Bushra Zubair on YouTube, passionately defended Pakistan, insisting that minorities are treated far better in the country than what Perwani claims.
“Please stop complaining,” Zubair wrote, adding that the Hindus in Pakistan are treated “100 times better than other countries”.
Another person even asked Perwani to go to India. “Tau India dafa ho jaye phir (leave for India then)”.
Perwani, on his part, also added that a few decades ago, he wanted to run away from Pakistan but now having spent half of his life here, he chose not to.
Who is Deepak Perwani?
Perwani has a career that spans over two decades, and holds a Guinness World Record for designing the world’s largest kurta. His fashion house, Deepak Perwani (DP), has not only made waves in Pakistan but has also earned international recognition, such as being named the sixth-best fashion designer in the world by the Bulgarian Fashion Awards in 2014.
His celebrity clientele also includes Indians like Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi. Perwani has acted in television dramas, with his debut role in Meray Paas Paas (2004-05).
In November, he hosted a Diwali party which was attended by many Pakistani celebrities such as Sanam Saeed, Sonya Hussyn, and Areeba Habib.
Hussyn and Habib faced criticism for attending a non-Muslim festival but defended their stand emphasising the need to promote religious harmony and inclusivity in Pakistan.
(Edited by Aamaan Alam Khan)
That’s pakistani religion. Danesh kaneria the cricketer had to eat separately from the pakistani team because he wasnt muslim. A hindu can only survive in pakistan by degrading indians and hindu religion. Let’s discuss the forced conversions in pakistan
I think it’s normal. In India, even Hindus can’t praise Pakistan in any matter. They are also treated with the same voices like “Go to Pakistan”.
Could you please also mention this in your article?
Thanks