When women around the world are striving to achieve greatness in every sphere of life—from arts to sports, from science to cinema—some individuals manage to set a precedent that drags society backward. Zara Dar, a woman who gave up her PhD program and became a full-time adult content creator, not only sparked global controversy but also uncovered the hypocrisy and ignorance of Pakistanis on social media. Despite the shameful character of her decision, numerous Pakistanis, unaware of its implications, are celebrating the so-called ‘achievement’ of this woman as though it were a moment of national pride.
A country that constantly preaches people about Sharia law, fights to enforce it, and kills over religious interpretations is sitting in an ironic position—Pakistan. The same nation upholds the practice of keeping women in purdah and admonishes those who stray from Islamic principles and now is rejoicing over Zara Dar’s highly questionable career choice. Yes, this is the country where there is a segment of online users who boast of women leaving their academic pursuit to be selling explicit content online. Proud? Proud of what?
This is where the irony just can’t get any starker. On one hand, Pakistanis rally behind strict Islamic laws, condemning anyone who violates these norms, and on the other hand, they are enthusiastically celebrating something so diametrically opposed to these values. It’s as if the societal obsession with projecting religious piety disappears the moment they encounter something on social media. Is this selective outrage, or is it simply ignorance?
The Viral Sensation: A Cheap Victory
Zara Dar was able to get herself turned into a viral sensation by publishing on social media her intention to withdraw from the PhD program in favor of working on OnlyFans as she has earned $1 million from the adult content related platform. This reflection moment has become somewhat of an embarrassment.
An X user named Sensei Kraken Zero (@YearOfTheKraken) shared a clip from her video titled “PhD dropout to OnlyFans model,” which soon amassed over 14.5 million views. The video, showing Dar’s pivot from academia to adult entertainment, drew mixed reactions worldwide.
Zara Dar quits her Ph.D. to work on her Onlyfans account full time.
From A.I. to Aaaayee haayee 🤭😂
It’s a complete pole vault jump. pic.twitter.com/D4VSRLVcje— The Story Teller (@IamTheStory__) December 23, 2024
While the world largely criticized her for abandoning a promising career in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Management) for a fleeting and controversial path, some Pakistanis reacted in a shockingly celebratory manner. A social media user, Farid Khan, went so far as to call her decision a “proud moment for South Asia.” He even claimed that Pakistani women are now “dominating the OnlyFans industry.” Dominating what, exactly? If anything, his comment highlighted a deeply troubling mindset where even the most shameful acts are deemed accomplishments.
Farid’s idiotic comment sparked a wave of ‘snatch his phone,’ the popular trolling asking someone to snatch someone’s phone for saying something embarrassing, but the fact that a comment gained popularity reflects what’s disturbing: how quick society is to celebrate when anything feels like a ‘win,’ even if that supposed victory comes at the expense of dignity and moral integrity.
The Liberation Fallacy
Zara Dar’s story is a perfect example of the flawed notion of “liberation” that some expatriates from conservative societies embrace. Many claim that leaving their homeland gives them the freedom to break free from cultural restrictions. But for some, this newfound “freedom” becomes an excuse to discard all societal norms, often equating rebellion with progress. Many Pakistanis have claimed her as one of their own and turned her into the wrong icon of freedom.
Here are some netizens cheering on Zara Dar as a hero for abandoning academia for fame through adult content. This isn’t liberation—it’s a mockery of it.
Selective Morality and Social Media Hysteria
The story of Zara, which was already making news, has now been widely amplified through social media platforms. She became a symbol of criticism and misplaced admiration because of her decision. As her announcement went viral with widespread ridicule, her cheeky responses to the trolls only added fuel to that fire. For some Pakistani, her decision served as a rallying point where celebrating her somehow marked a defiance against societal norms.
Zara tried hiding her nationality by calling her an American-born. In a X post she said (I am American, born and raised, with a mixed background: American, Persian, Southern European, Middle Eastern) but many Pakistanis continued to claim her as theirs, using her as a symbol of “liberation” from societal shackles. This is symptomatic of a larger problem: not being able to critically look at what true empowerment is all about. Is it freedom from shackles to soar to great heights? Or is it the freedom from values to indulge in momentary pleasure?
A Tarnished Image
While many women are breaking barriers and earning respect in male-dominated fields, people like Zara inadvertently reinforce negative stereotypes. By glorifying her decision, her supporters undermine the hard work and sacrifices of those who are striving to earn dignity and respect through legitimate means.
This makes the celebration of Zara as a success story send a dangerous message to young girls: fame and money, no matter how they are earned, trump morality, dignity, and meaningful societal contributions. It is a mindset that does not only tarnish the image of Pakistani women but also erodes the values that many hold dear.
Pakistanis Need to Reflect
This whole saga has acted as a bitter reminder of the paradoxes of Pakistani society. While this country fights tooth and nail to impose religious laws, celebrating Zara Dar’s decision to leave PhD exposes the hypocrisy of its people. Pakistanis should learn to define progress and empowerment rather than celebrating questionable decisions.
