Maria B says was ‘exercising right to free speech’ in reply to NCCIA in trans community defamation case

Maria B Submits Defence to NCCIA in Transgender Defamation Complaint

ISLAMABAD — September 2025: Renowned Pakistani fashion designer Maria Butt, popularly known as Maria B, has submitted her defence to the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) regarding a complaint filed against her in August over alleged anti-transgender rhetoric on social media. The complaint was lodged by Saima Butt, accusing the designer of defaming the transgender community.

Represented by Barrister Mian Ali Ashfaq, Maria B argued that her posts fall under her constitutional right to free speech (Article 19) and were made in “good faith” as “reasonable opinions on matters of public concern.” Her response further claimed that since individuals in the video she posted were “hardly visible and wearing masks,” the content could not be classified as defamation. She also described the complaint as “malicious” and intended to harass her.

The controversy stems from Maria B’s videos uploaded in August, where she demanded action against alleged transgender activists at a private party in Lahore. Police later booked around 60 transgender persons, though the case was dismissed by a magistrate after no evidence was found.

This incident adds to Maria B’s history of anti-transgender remarks, including her criticism of the film Joyland, which she labeled a “shameful transgender satanic show” despite its recognition as Pakistan’s official Oscars submission in 2023.