Acid -survivors walk in the hallway

Two weeks ago in Karachi, the survivors of a visionary burning came out in a corridor with white light. Under the guidance of choreographer Neera, they walked the Zubair Shah summer Bloom collection on Runway Spring/Summer ’25, designing applause from the audience.

The section was part of a collaboration with the Depilex Smileagain Foundation (DSF). “At the Depilex Smileagain Foundation, our mission has always been to restore dignity, trust and visibility to burn survivors, through medical and psychological support, as well as in the interview, with the strong narrative and representation of Massar, founder.

The stories behind these walks reveal how acid attacks on Pakistan disproportionately affect women. This is the case that 90% of the victims of acid attacks have already encountered a form of violence that has led to an acid attack. Some of the women had been attacked by the rejected suitors. Others were teenagers when domestic accidents, such as gas cylinder explosions, left them alive injuries.

“Oil and kerosene attacks remain a catastrophic reality in Pakistan, especially for women who claim their independence in deep patriarchal environments,” he said.

Section 336-B of the Pakistani Criminal Code clearly states that acid attacks can face imprisonment for life, along with a minimum fine of five hundred thousand rupees. However, despite the strict law, it remains an issue. The official data estimate about 200 reported cases each year, but the actual number is probably much higher, hidden by the stigma.

That is why the idea of ​​appearing in a corridor was not easily embraced. “When we first introduced the idea, the reactions were mixed, some were hesitant, others carefully promising, many had never imagined in front of a camera, let alone style in such a powerful way,” as the process unfolded, their confidence flourished.

For Shah, the collection itself was formed around their purpose. “His creative sensitivity was perfectly aligned with our mission, he realized that this was never just a fashion photo shoot, it was an act of rehabilitation, a platform for burning survivors to express their individuality, power and beauty in their own terms.”

The effort reflects a wider impulse to integrate vulnerable groups into public culture. “Our collaboration with Zubair Shah was just the beginning. We intend to continue working with artists, designers, filmmakers and narrators who share our vision of representing survivors,” he said.