Meher Bokhari urges parents to teach sons consent, respect as celebrities back her message

Pakistani celebrities have come forward in support of news anchor Meher Bokhari after she called on parents to have open

Pakistani celebrities have come forward in support of news anchor Meher Bokhari after she called on parents to have open and age-appropriate conversations with their sons about puberty, sexual urges, consent and the difference between right and wrong. Bokhari argued that such discussions should not be treated as taboo, particularly at a time when children have easy access to social media and online content.

In a video posted on Instagram, Bokhari criticised what she described as a culture in Pakistan where serious crimes such as rape and murder are often discussed only after they occur, rather than being addressed through early education and responsible parenting. She said parents frequently avoid conversations about puberty, sexuality and desires because they consider these subjects embarrassing or inappropriate.

Bokhari stressed that parents cannot be held completely responsible for every action their children take. However, she maintained that parents have an important role in teaching children about morality, respect, personal boundaries and appropriate behaviour. According to her, children should be encouraged to understand the difference between acceptable and harmful behaviour from an early age.

While discussing several alleged cases involving minors, Bokhari questioned how young people are being raised and what kind of guidance they receive at home. She referred to an alleged incident at a private school in Lahore in which a young girl was reportedly assaulted by senior students. She also mentioned the reported case of Aizal Ali, a 17-year-old who was accused of assaulting his cousin, and the case of five-year-old Ayat Noor, who was killed.

Bokhari pointed out that some alleged perpetrators in such cases are themselves under the age of 18. She argued that this should encourage society to examine the role of parenting, education, social media and exposure to inappropriate material in shaping children’s understanding of relationships and sexual behaviour.

She further said that boys going through puberty may experience new emotions, urges and desires but may not know how to deal with them responsibly. In her view, avoiding these conversations can leave young people without proper guidance. She questioned whether families are doing enough to raise boys who understand respect, consent and boundaries.

Bokhari also emphasised that religious education alone cannot replace conversations about growing up and personal responsibility. She argued that parents should be able to discuss difficult subjects with their children while maintaining appropriate boundaries and values.

In the caption accompanying her video, Bokhari urged parents to remain involved in the content their children consume and to challenge harmful messages. She stressed that boys should be taught consistently that women are human beings whose dignity, autonomy and safety must be respected.

Her comments received support from several Pakistani celebrities, including Imran Abbas, Tauseeq Haider and Amar Khan. Actor Bilal Abbas Khan also shared the video on his Instagram Story and expressed his agreement with Bokhari’s message.

The discussion also gained attention from social media users, with some calling for greater education about puberty, consent and sexual health in educational institutions. Others thanked Bokhari for addressing a subject that is often avoided in Pakistani society.

Bokhari’s remarks have consequently sparked a wider conversation about parenting, sex education, consent and children’s exposure to online content. While parents cannot control every decision their children make, her message highlighted the importance of communication, guidance and teaching young people how to respect boundaries and treat others responsibly.