Sindh Governor grilled for asking female graduates about marriage, weddings and MILs at convocation

A university convocation meant to celebrate academic achievement has instead gone viral for all the wrong reasons.

Governor Sindh Syed Nehal Hashmi is facing widespread backlash after using his speech to ask female graduates whether they would invite him to their weddings, whether they expected to fight with their mothers-in-law, and whether they would treat them "like their own mothers"—instead of speaking about their careers, ambitions or future.

During the ceremony, Hashmi repeatedly asked female students to raise their hands if they would invite him to their weddings, joking that those who didn't respond were being "misers."

He then shifted to questions about marriage, asking how many graduates expected conflict with their future mothers-in-law and how many planned to treat them "as their own mother," describing such women as "fortunate."

The remarks quickly went viral.

Among the first to react was PML-N leader Hina Pervaiz Butt, who criticised the governor in a now-deleted post on X.

"The governor of Sindh is perhaps unaware of his position and stature. He should at least know that he is addressing female graduates as a governor," she wrote, adding that watching the clip left her deeply disappointed and that the students appeared visibly uncomfortable.

Online, criticism poured in.

"What a thought-provoking speech to make at a convocation as Chief Guest," one user wrote sarcastically, adding that the Governor's office once belonged to Quaid-e-Azam and deserved greater dignity.

Another questioned why an academic ceremony had turned into a discussion about marriage instead of education.

"Instead of encouraging students to pursue scholarships, higher education abroad or future careers, he is talking about mothers-in-law," the user wrote.

Others expressed sympathy for the graduates.

"Gone are the days when institutions were led by people who inspired students. Today, graduates are being asked for wedding invitations instead of career advice," one comment read.

One of the harshest reactions summed up the mood online: "If you invite a clown into your palace, don't be surprised if the palace becomes a circus."

Many users also drew comparisons with former Governor Kamran Tessori, saying official events during his tenure focused on encouraging students and maintaining the dignity of the office.

As the clip continues to circulate, what should have been a celebration of academic success has instead become one of Pakistan's latest social media controversies.