LAHORE: Fashion designer Maria B on Tuesday did not appear before the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) in an inquiry related to defaming the transgender community on social media.

In a notice to Maria Butt, the NCCIA asked her to appear before an inquiry team on a complaint that she defamed the transgender community on social media. It said in case of non-appearance it would be assumed that she had nothing to present or state in her defence.

“Neither Maria Butt nor her counsel joined the investigation in the case,” an official said.

Lahore police last week had booked around 60 transgender persons and others and arrested some of them for allegedly organising an “objectionable” private party after Maria B uploaded photos and videos of it on her social media accounts. Later, a magistrate dismissed the case against transgender persons after no incriminating material was available on record which connected the accused persons with the commission of alleged offences.

Fashion designer Maria B had posted videos on her social media accounts, demanding action against “transgender activists” that she claimed featured in the clips, terming such gatherings “against the moral values of the country.”

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2025