Ban on entry of maids/servants in elite clubs to be lifted under PM's orders: Shehryar Afridi
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Prime Minister Imran Khan has lifted a ban on the entry of maids in the Islamabad Club, "removing symbols of elitism and colonial mindset", said Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Afridi on Wednesday.
Taking to Twitter, the state minister shared a picture of a sign barring the entry of "maids and ayahs" beyond a certain point.
"Symbols of elitism and colonial mindset will be removed," he tweeted. "Rather we should have been thankful to them [the maids] for carrying our weights. Abolish boundaries made in name of wealth, colour etc."
Afridi said that similar bans placed in other "elite clubs" will also be lifted.
During a meeting on human rights at the PM Office a day earlier, the premier had directed authorities to remove discriminatory signboards from clubs (Islamabad Club, Gymkhana etc.) and other public places restricting the entry of maids, aayas and domestic servants.
The prime minister also directed authorities concerned to eliminate bonded labour in the country and said steps must be taken to educate children of poor families.
The meeting was attended, among others, by Human Rights Minister Dr Shireen Mazari, Afridi, and the PM’s Adviser on Commerce Razzak Dawood.
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Comments (72) Closed
Jan 30, 2019 01:24pm
"Prime Minister Imran Khan has lifted a ban on the entry of maids in the Islamabad Club" The elite cannot live without their servants.
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Jan 30, 2019 01:24pm
The club's will say ...only people having membership cards allowed beyond this points...non members to pay for entry...how is that.
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Jan 30, 2019 01:26pm
It's a good step. What is needed by the government to ensure their rights are protected. They are not tortured abused beaten their wages paid on time. They are entitled to a safe working environment.
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Jan 30, 2019 01:31pm
Its shameful that such restrictions were in place. About time that they are removed.
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Jan 30, 2019 01:39pm
Shukria Imran Khan
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Jan 30, 2019 01:45pm
I salute you for this noble act! I voted for you and you make me proud!
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Jan 30, 2019 01:49pm
This was really shameful that this was not changed earlier. British has left, but similar minded people are still there.
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Jan 30, 2019 01:52pm
Symbolism by IK in full swing. When will something productive action begin??
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Jan 30, 2019 01:53pm
Enter as servants? Is that called equality? Will they be allowed to use the recreational facilities?
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Jan 30, 2019 01:56pm
This is very good decision, didn't know such restrictions were in place, Please widen the scope by ensuring all five star hotels and other places must allow entry and they are accessible to lower/middle classes.
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Jan 30, 2019 01:56pm
First : these are members only club : means you have paid for membership: Does PM understand it : second why PIM cardio ward is off limits when Nawaz is their : why roads are closed for Bilawal and a child died ? Start opening Public roads : and don’t interfere in private club: specially members only: abolished VIP lounges at Hospital and airport:
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Jan 30, 2019 02:08pm
Islamabad Club should be ashamed of this sign! Just pathetic. Even the "colonists" have moved out of this mind set decades ago.
All these "elitist" are put in their place and they HAVE to mingle in public and stand in "commoners line" when they go to foreign counties.
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Jan 30, 2019 02:08pm
Great step.
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Jan 30, 2019 02:17pm
Or maybe allowing entry of common citizens to these elite clubs will better serve your point.
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Jan 30, 2019 02:38pm
Good decision to remove old colonial rules set by 'goras' when they ruled us - there should be no room for such discriminatory notices and rules in our society. No previous government had the courage to take such steps, as their leaders had 'yes sir' mindset and mentality.
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Jan 30, 2019 02:45pm
So now time to show-off the number of maids/servants on your payroll. Mr PM if you really want to make a difference then legalise all houselhold help by forcing employers pay their health/social security benefits.
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Jan 30, 2019 02:45pm
I am sorry but a club is not a public space, i know this comment would irk many people but if you think about it, members have paid huge sums of money for exactly this kind of exclusivity. Maids have no business in the dining and ballrooms of clubs.
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Jan 30, 2019 02:50pm
Ironically, bringing along maids/ayas is exactly the symbol of elitism. Why can't the rich take care of the kids themselves. Govt makes it sound as if the restrictions were discrimination against maids/ayas who wanted to drop by on their own without their employers for some refreshments, and were not allowed entry. The circus continues.
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Jan 30, 2019 02:53pm
Islamabad Club members consider themselves a superior species. Good step
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Jan 30, 2019 02:53pm
@Anti-Corruption_Pakistani,
However, it is more of the Maulvis who encourage such things.
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Jan 30, 2019 02:53pm
The British left over 70 years ago and today we decided to lift the ban
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Jan 30, 2019 02:56pm
I think the PM must focus his energy and attention on structural and economic reforms, including judicial reforms. Entry of maids into clubs is a cosmetic move that can at best win a few brownie points.
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Jan 30, 2019 03:22pm
@BAXAR,
True understanding of matter.
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Jan 30, 2019 03:25pm
Well done Khan Sb.
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Jan 30, 2019 03:43pm
I think the minister has not seen how these maids/ayas are treated at these clubs. They are made to sit at separate tables by these elites, while the royal families enjoy. I think if you can not treat someone like equal and have them sit on the same table, please do not bring them along. Try chasing after your own kids for a change
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Jan 30, 2019 03:46pm
We need to remove dress code that requires a tie. Another colonial legacy.
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Jan 30, 2019 03:48pm
Its not something of colonial rules! Its the matter of right to admission. I am sure not many people can let their maids eat with them on same table even at home! If they do, they can speak out here !
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Jan 30, 2019 04:00pm
This is just a populist decision, pti fanboys will love it but it is meaningless.. the elite country clubs in pakistan are very strict to get into, forget a maid but someone like me who is an upper middle class overseas pakistani would not be allowed entry into most of these clubs.
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Jan 30, 2019 04:24pm
Did any one including Mr Afridi try and find out why this restriction was imposed? I am sure not. Child abduction will stop.
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Jan 30, 2019 04:28pm
This is no less than an apartheid. It is discriminatory and such behavior should be outlawed!
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Jan 30, 2019 04:31pm
The legacy of the Feudal Lords being now directly challenged
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Jan 30, 2019 04:43pm
It is highly unfortunate and absolutely mind-boggling to know, realize, understand and experience that even 71 years after independence, colonial era mindset and aristocratic practices based on color, race, ethnicity, gender, wealth, family-background, age, dress, position status and health exist everywhere in former colonies including the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.
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Jan 30, 2019 05:06pm
I am even shocked to know such restrictions were in place. Are we living in 21st century?
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Jan 30, 2019 05:29pm
Does Prime Imran Khan or any of his ministers allow maids and servants to have dinner or any meal on the same table where they eat at same time?
We need to fix our feudal mentality or cast system build in our culture.
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Jan 30, 2019 05:34pm
This is not enough at all!
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Jan 30, 2019 05:39pm
Do something productive with your portfolio Minister of state for Interior Shehryar Afridi!
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Jan 30, 2019 05:47pm
Maids and ayas don't even understand. Why not Remove servent and maids culture.
IK should provide coffee and tea machines to all offices and tell all staff self service.
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Jan 30, 2019 06:05pm
These things showing the mind set of the elite class. complete overhaul is required if one see there is a list of laws which are older than Pakistan. These needs to be amended.
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Jan 30, 2019 06:07pm
Slavery is still practiced in this country...
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Jan 30, 2019 06:09pm
Great...
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Jan 30, 2019 06:43pm
So that they can feel more embarrassed. What a joke.
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Jan 30, 2019 06:46pm
I thought using Ayas and Maids is a sign of Colonial and Elite mindset.
In the west no one have Ayas and/or Maids. Infact, people should carry their own weights.
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Jan 30, 2019 06:52pm
These 'elites' might as well go live in the US now where they will have to clean their own toilets and take out the garbage.
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Jan 30, 2019 06:54pm
When will IK remove the LAND LORDS- real Colonial symbols by bringing LAND REFORMS?
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Jan 30, 2019 08:09pm
I was surprised to read that such rule is existed.
Thank you imran khan for abolishing this shameful rule. Hope clubs don't demand membership cards from maids.
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Jan 30, 2019 08:13pm
Welcome to Naya Pakistan!! Thank You Prime Minister Imran Khan
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Jan 30, 2019 08:51pm
its a shame on entire nation to even allow having such boards.
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Jan 30, 2019 09:16pm
@Dude,
It is also shameful that the club is open to its members and guests only and not to anybody on the street.
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Jan 30, 2019 09:39pm
First of all why do the elite need Maids and Aayah's?
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Jan 30, 2019 09:40pm
@Mac, are you kidding?
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Jan 30, 2019 09:56pm
Bravo PM Khan!
Gordon D. Walker
Canada
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Jan 30, 2019 10:04pm
Wondering that such signs were allowed in the country. It did not say non members it said maids and ayas.
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Jan 30, 2019 10:11pm
IK doesn't need to have a say in everything before it is happened. It's time the ministers take some responsibility and start taking actions on their own. We can't rely on IK to do everything.
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Jan 30, 2019 10:30pm
So sad - imagine how someone would feel if their mother, daughter, sister were treated like that. Good move by the PM.
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Jan 30, 2019 10:47pm
A reminder of colonial past
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Jan 30, 2019 11:00pm
Jameel, that is way better, because then it will be a business solution for business problem. If someone still wants to purchase membership for their servants they can go ahead and pay it. So
entry restriction will not be on basis of being servant but on basis of being an unpaid member. which is fine.
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Jan 30, 2019 11:03pm
Clubs are for members. If people want to take their servants inside, that's a colonial mind set. Also the servants are not members and clubs have a right to deny them entry. It's a childish decision
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Jan 31, 2019 12:11am
@BAXAR, There must be a Code of Conduct for all members.
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Jan 31, 2019 04:16am
The symbol of elitism will not go away. Once an individual is educated, has a nice job and handsome salary will force the person to think big.
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Jan 31, 2019 04:55am
Well Done!
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Jan 31, 2019 05:07am
Having Maids and Ayas is a symbol of elitism you clueless self righteous group of rich people!!
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Jan 31, 2019 05:41am
Thanks. Now owners can take their slaves with them.
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Jan 31, 2019 06:17am
Lifting ban on entry is not enough, but change the mindset of elite including state officials who are members and created such clubs. Also improving the life of poor people so that the are not exploited by elites
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Jan 31, 2019 07:04am
Are we also going to address feudal mindset or is that acceptable?
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Jan 31, 2019 07:28am
It is a good step and resonates well with the young voters of PTI. I grew up watching that sign every now and then and found it very discriminatory. Even re wording is a start. We should educate our society to treat people as humans.
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Jan 31, 2019 08:54am
Interesting; but why allow these elite institutions to exist in the first place. aren't these relics of colonisation? does maintaining these institutions not reflect our own colonial ways of thinking and being?
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Jan 31, 2019 02:52pm
@Reality, " There must be a Code of Conduct for all members." Absolutely, it is their right. The issue here is the phrasing: "Maids and Ayas not allowed", what does it mean? Members have right to bring guests, so what's the need of this "rule". You can just prescribe "Non-members not allowed", but that will irk the members. So you can prescribe "Code of conduct applies to guests as well" and just apply a dressing code for anyone entering the club. After that, if members bring their maids as guest, they will be forced to dress them according to the code of conduct, so no need to use the insulting terms of maid, aya, or servant. Problem solved.
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Feb 01, 2019 07:31am
@ga, I doubt the US would have them.
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Feb 01, 2019 08:06am
@Mian, would you instead that the practice continues?
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Feb 01, 2019 08:11am
@Junaid Khan, The argument is rather childish. Aya and maids are not using facilities but if they are accompanying children why should they not be able to enter the premise. The practice is insulting and inhumane.
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Feb 01, 2019 08:57am
Thank you PM. Now if the clubs disagree go ahead and ban them. Will serve them right.
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Feb 01, 2019 08:59am
This will not do any good to the economy, concentrate on actual problems.
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