A new administrative order related to the dress code of women issued by the Bahawal Victoria Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Mohammad Younis Warraich divided the social media users on Twitter.

The twitteratis shared their views referring to a news report published in Dawn on Friday.

According to the report, the notification signed by the hospital MS has two categories labelled as “allowed” and “not allowed”.

As per the list of the item stated in the not allowed category, women were barred from wearing “jeans/tights (but only with knee length shirt), high-up trousers/capri above ankle, tight fitted clothes, see-through clothes, heavy /tacky bangles or rings, sleeveless/half sleeves clothes, heavy make-up (especially dark lipsticks), untied long hairs, high heels (making loud sounds and turning heads of everyone), extreme hairstyles (especially high buns like hump of camels), low neckline (front and back), nail paint on long nails, slippers and anklets (Pajaib),” read the Dawn report.

It further listed the items which were included in the “allowed” category. They include “shalwar kameez or trousers with long shirts, dupatta/scarf, minimal jewelry like studs/tops, simple ring, or a chain with locket, sleeves below elbow, lab coat (compulsory in hospital premises), maternity gowns/suitable dresses (during antenatal period) and scrubs with long sleeves that can be folded for females”.

A large number of social media users slammed the new “women-centric” dress code, while many others supported the directives, saying they were reasonable.

A social media user criticized the decision, saying the men have decided what should women wear and "dressing was never an issue."

Another user tweeted: “I am sick of this forced islamization of our society.”

Referring to a discussion about the notification issued by the hospital in a Geo News programme, a user supported the decision and said, “Please appreciate and support Bahawalpur Victoria Hospital MS for taking a positive initiative on dress code.”

Another user appreciated the orders, saying they were “in accordance with Islamic rules” and urged the MS to take one step forward by making beard compulsory for male staff.