Category: Uncategorized

  • DNA matched in motorway gang-rape case; arrests to follow

    DNA matched in motorway gang-rape case; arrests to follow

    Hours after rejecting a private media outlet’s claims that the prime suspect of the motorway gang-rape case had been arrested, Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Saturday announced that one of the culprits had been identified following DNA testing and will soon be apprehended.

    Taking to Twitter to share the news, Dr Gill congratulated Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Sardar Usman Buzdar, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Inam Ghani, Lahore Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Umar Sheikh and the entire team.

    “DNA matched. The arrest will also soon be made. The people should know that Usman Buzdar, the IGP and the [Lahore] CCPO were in a meeting until 4 am. The CM himself has monitored the entire case,” he tweeted.

    “Actions speak louder than words,” Dr Gill added.

    Earlier in the day, Dr Gill, in a vaguely-worded tweet, had said thanked Allah for his help and for listening to the prayers of the people.

    LAHORE-SIALKOT MOTORWAY RAPE CASE:

    On Tuesday night, it was reported that two robbers had gang-raped a mother of three on the Motorway within Gujjarpura police’s jurisdiction.

    The woman, along with her three children, was driving to Gujranwala in her car when she was forced to stop at the Gujjarpura section of the Motorway after running out of fuel at around 1:30 am. She immediately called a relative and sent him her location. He asked her to also dial the Motorway Police helpline 130 but she was reportedly refused help.

    In the meantime, two robbers approached the car, broke the window and took the woman and her children to nearby bushes where they raped her repeatedly in front of the children. They also snatched her purse that had cash around Rs100,000, one bracelet, car registration and three ATM cards. 

    The Gujjarpura police have registered a case, while motorway police spokesperson said they had not been able to take action as the incident did not occur in the limits of Motorway Police.

  • Hamza Ali Abbasi cancels Netflix subscription over movie sexualising young girls

    Hamza Ali Abbasi cancels Netflix subscription over movie sexualising young girls

    Hamza Ali Abbasi has cancelled his Netflix subscription and is urging everyone to do the same after Netflix ignored criticism and went ahead with the release of Cuties. The streaming platform had received immense backlash from outraged audiences who accused them of ‘sexualising’ young girls in the film.

    Sharing a picture of his cancellation, Hamza said: “Despite global condemnation, Netflix still went ahead and released Cuties.”

    “Yup, now we have softcore pedo porn on a mainstream media platform. That’s a deal-breaker for me”, he said further. “Can’t do much, but what I can do is cancel my Netflix subscription.”

    Hamza also urged his followers to do the same.

    Earlier, Hamza had expressed his “horror” to see a show in the “mainstream blatantly sexualising 11-year-old kids.” He had signed a petition calling for Netflix to cancel the movie and had stated that he would cancel his subscription if they don’t. Till the filing of this report, 205,042 had signed the petition.

    According to details, the film, which premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, is about Amy, a Senegalese Muslim girl who lives in a poor neighbourhood in France. After she develops a fascination with dance, she joins a dance group called the ‘Cuties’.

    Meanwhile, the film’s official synopsis states: “Eleven-year-old Amy starts to rebel against her conservative family’s traditions when she becomes fascinated with a free-spirited dance crew.”

    The film is originally a French-language film titled Mignonnes. It was written and directed by Maïmouna Doucouré, who is also Senegalese. The director, in an interview, had shared that the inspiration for the film came from seeing an amateur talent show in Paris.

    “There were these girls on stage dressed in a really sexy fashion in short, transparent clothes. They danced in a very sexually suggestive manner,” said Doucouré. “There also happened to be a number of African mothers in the audience. I was transfixed, watching with a mixture of shock and admiration. I asked myself if these young girls understood what they were doing.”

    However, parents and audiences say that the film exploits and sexualises children and demanded Netflix to remove the film from the streaming platform. Multiple petitions were filed on change.org in an attempt to force Netflix to cancel the movie.

    “The movie Cuties shows children dressed provocatively, dancing sexually and is rated only for adult viewers,” read a petition. “It was created for the entertainment of adults who are paedophiles. Please sign the petition to protect our children from exploitation in movies.”

    Following the backlash, Netflix apologised for the “inappropriate” artwork used for the film.

    The film’s original poster showed the film’s cast – all children – in midriff-baring uniforms and short shorts striking various dance poses.

  • ARY says prime suspect of motorway gang-rape case arrested; govt says that’s not true

    ARY says prime suspect of motorway gang-rape case arrested; govt says that’s not true

    Punjab police have arrested the prime suspect of the motorway gang-rape case, ARY has reported citing sources; but the claim has been dismissed by the senior-most police officer of Punjab as well as Prime Minister (PM) Imran Khan’s aide Dr Shahbaz Gill.

    According to reports, Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Inam Ghani has dismissed reports that a suspect in the Lahore motorway rape case had been arrested, terming them as incorrect. 

    “News on the arrest of a suspect on TV channels and social media are incorrect,” said IGP Ghani, adding that he would share any development in the case with media as he was monitoring the investigation himself.

    “Such unconfirmed news affects the case and is also misleading for the public,” said the top cop.

    He also said that pictures of the woman and the suspects being shared on social media were fake, and urged media to not run reports before confirming them. “We will soon arrest the accused and bring them to justice,” Ghani vowed.

    Earlier, ARY cited Punjab government sources as saying that search for the second suspect involved in the gang-rape was underway.

    The claim was, however, also dismissed by Special Assistant to Prime Minister (SAPM) on Political Communication Dr Shahbaz Gill, who said it was incorrect but the police were working hard.

    The tweet was followed by ARY Senior Executive Vice President Ammad Yousaf’s statement that the media organisation stood by its story.

    It wasn’t later that Dr Gill tweeted back.

    What do you think is going on? Let The Current know in the comments below

  • Report: At least 173 children were gang-raped in Pakistan in first six months of 2020

    Report: At least 173 children were gang-raped in Pakistan in first six months of 2020

    Child protection NGO Sahil, in a report Cruel Number released on Thursday, revealed that at least 173 children were gang-raped in Pakistan in the first six months of 2020, whereas there were 227 reports of attempted sexual assault. 

    According to the report, 38 children were killed after they were sexually abused. More than eight children were subjected to sexual abuse on average every day in the first six months of 2020 in Pakistan.  

    Sahil reported that as of June this year, 497 children were sexually abused. 57% of cases were reported in Punjab, 32% were reported in Sindh and 6% in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

    The report further said that more than 35 cases were reported in Islamabad, 22 in Balochistan, 10 in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and one in Gilgit-Baltistan.

    Out of the total reported cases, 62% were from rural areas and 38% reported from urban areas. Of the total children who were victims of sexual abuse, 53% were girls and 47% boys. 

    Sahil also highlighted that 51 cases of underage marriage were reported.

    The results were taken from 84 newspapers and cases reported in all four provinces, the capital city, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.

  • PEMRA bans ‘Jalan’ over ‘immoral’ content

    PEMRA bans ‘Jalan’ over ‘immoral’ content

    The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has ordered an immediate ban on ARY Digital’s ongoing drama Jalan, saying that the content of the drama goes against the “social and moral ethics of Pakistani society”.

    In a notification, PEMRA said that the content of Jalan goes against the values of the Pakistani society and that viewers and audiences have been strongly criticising the drama and its storyline. It further said that the channel and the drama’s makers had been repeatedly told to modify the script and content of the drama and bring it in line with Pakistani morals and ethics. But because they did not comply with PEMRA’s order and ignored its warnings, the regulatory body had no choice but to ban the drama under Section 27 of the PEMRA Ordinance.

    Jalan is about two sisters Nisha (Minal Khan) and Misha (Areeba Habib). While Misha is the sweet and obedient sister, Nisha is a spoiled brat and wants to be better than her sister, so she sets her sights on her brother-in-law Asfandyar (Emmad Irfani) because he’s rich and good-looking. Ignoring the fact that her sister is married to Asfandyar, Nisha openly flirts with him and urges him to divorce his pregnant wife. Despite, its convoluted and twisted storyline, the drama trends on TV and social media every week.

    Earlier, in a notice issued on September 4, PEMRA had directed ARY Digital and the makers of Jalan to review its content and script and modify it in accordance with Pakistani values.

    In the press release, the media regulatory body said that it has been getting multiple complaints regarding the drama, its content and script through the Pakistan Citizens Portal, PEMRA social media accounts, and PEMRA call centres. It added that the content of the drama, especially the main storyline, is being strongly criticised by audiences on social media.

    “Audiences have strongly criticised the drama saying that it has made a mockery of sacred relationships,” the notification had read.

    PEMRA had also requested all stakeholders, including TV channels and production houses, to immediately review the content of their future dramas.

    “Regardless of the cost and time invested in the drama, if the content of a play is against national values and expectations of the audience, the play will be banned without any warning,” stated the press release.

    While the lead cast and makers of the drama have yet to respond to the ban, Fahad Sheikh who plays Ahmer in the drama, expressed his disappointment over the decision.

  • Motorway rape: Mehwish, Mahira demand change in mindset instead of public hangings

    Motorway rape: Mehwish, Mahira demand change in mindset instead of public hangings

    Mahira Khan and Mehwish Hayat, among other celebrities have condemned the brutal gang-rape of a mother of two and have demanded for the mindset to be changed.

    Mehwish Hayat, in a tweet said: “Scream all you want about ‘Public Hanging of Rapists’ – nothing will happen till the mindset changes.”

    Similarly, sharing a quote by Manto, Mahira said: “Hang them! Kill them! Publicly shame them! – It won’t change a thing. The problem is so deeply ingrained within our society, so deep-rooted, that even the officer said: ‘She shouldn’t have left at that time. This is the way our society is’.”

    “Why should we accept this mindset? Why should we question the victim yet again and not the those who commit the crime?” she questioned.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CE9oF91hAcc/

    On Tuesday night, two robbers reportedly gang-raped a mother of two on the Motorway within Gujjarpura police’s jurisdiction. The woman, along with her two children, was driving to Gujranwala in her car when she was forced to stop at the Gujjarpura section of the Motorway after running out of fuel at around 1:30 am. She immediately called a relative and sent him her location. He asked her to also dial the Motorway Police helpline 130 but she was reportedly refused help.

    In the meantime, two robbers approached the car, broke the window and took the woman and her children to nearby bushes where they raped her repeatedly in front of the children. They also snatched her purse that had cash around Rs100,000, one bracelet, car registration and three ATM cards.

    The Gujjarpura police have registered a case, while the motorway police spokesperson said they had not been able to take action as the incident did not occur in the limits of Motorway Police.

    The incident, followed by Lahore’s new Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Umar Sheikh’s comments have sparked outrage nationwide. According to details, the CCPO said: “I am shocked… you are a mother of three and the only driver late at night… [she] should have taken the GT [Grand Trunk] Road instead, which is densely populated.”

    Sheikh went on to say that the woman should “at least have checked her fuel before taking the motorway”.

    Humayun Saeed said that he was “shocked beyond belief and extremely distressed to learn about this incident.”

    Ayesha Omar talked about how she didn’t even feel safe in her own country.

    Mansha Pasha and Hareem Farooq said that the victim is not to be blamed.

    Adnan Siddiqui and Sarwat Gilani expressed their shock over the incident.

    “My head hangs in shame. I am really sorry,” wrote Adnan.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CE9njPrBFbL/

    “It’s heartbreaking, blood boiling and extremely sad to see this news,” said Sarwat.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CE9EgItj7pp/

    Several celebrities including Feroze Khan, Mawra Hocane, Aijaz Aslam, Faysal Quraishi, Asim Azhar, Yumna Zaidi, Minal Khan, Sarah Khan and Ali Rehman Khan called for the public hanging of rapists.

    Feroze urged Prime Minister Imran Khan to take swift action and not let down his voters.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CE96a9XHea_/
    https://www.instagram.com/p/CE-R9O6Hj6V/
    https://www.instagram.com/p/CE99rTUhjYL/

    https://twitter.com/ImranAbbas/status/1304290321157758976?s=20

    Meanwhile, Sanam Saeed, Shaniera Akram and Ushna Shah felt that hanging is ‘nothing’ and an easy way out for the criminals.

    Osman Khalid Butt had similar thoughts and called for the system to be fixed.

  • Atiqa Odho jumps to Naumaan Ijaz’s defense, calls his remarks on cheating ‘naughty and entertaining’

    Atiqa Odho jumps to Naumaan Ijaz’s defense, calls his remarks on cheating ‘naughty and entertaining’

    After Naumaan Ijaz received immense flak for his comments on cheating and infidelity, Atiqa Odho stepped in to defend her colleague and applauded him for knowing “how to get people’s attention”.

    “My dear friend Naumaan,” wrote Atiqa on social media. “You really know how to get people’s attention! Trust you to joke about infidelity and people start to take it all so seriously.”

    Referring to his wife, Rabia, Atiqa continued,” Hats off to my buddy Rabia for also laughing it off, knowing her husband loves to poke people’s imagination.”

    “You are so naughty and entertaining,” added the actor. “Never a dull moment on and off-screen. Anyway, just keep smiling and exposing others’ petty mindedness.”

    Atiqa closed the comments section on the post on Instagram and advised her followers to “look up the complete interview link and watch it to understand this clip”, adding that everyone is being very unfair by “jumping to conclusions and judging him”.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CE7UAxxgY3z/

    Earlier this week, an old interview of Naumaan’s went viral on social media in which the actor talks about cheating on his wife and getting away with it because he is such “a great actor”.

    During the interview, when host Iffat Omar asked Naumaan the secret behind his successful marriage, Naumaan said that he is very lucky as far as his wife is concerned.

    Iffat then remarked that artists are ‘aashiq mizaaj log‘ and asked Ijaz if he ever felt his heart waver, to which the actor replied, “Multiple times”.

    “But then how do you control it; know your limits,” asked Iffat.

    “I don’t control it,” laughed Naumaan in response. “I fall in love daily. I am a very loving person. If I come across a woman who is beautiful inside out and has a difficult personality, I fall in love with her.”

    “Toh phir aap karletay hain ishq,” questioned Iffat.

    “Main karleta hoon ishq,” said Naumaan, adding that his wife doesn’t find out because he is such “a great actor and an intelligent man.”

    When Iffat probed further and asked about the reaction of those he gets involved with, Naumaan said that they know and reciprocate but their husbands don’t find out.

    “I need to learn a few things from you,” chuckled Iffat in response.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CE4FuY5pXKp/

  • VIDEO: Eyewitness account of motorway gang-rape incident by first-responding Dolphin cop

    Eyewitness account by Dolphin Force cop, who was among the first responders at the site of the horrifying Lahore-Sialkot motorway gang-rape.

    Find out all you need to know about the incident here.

  • Motorway Incident: Protests for justice in your city

    Motorway Incident: Protests for justice in your city

    On Tuesday night, two robbers reportedly gang-raped a mother of two on the Motorway within Gujjarpura police’s jurisdiction. The incident has sparked outrage among the citizens, with people criticising the authorities and the police officials for not doing their job properly and “protecting us”. Countrywide protests are being organised to express solidarity with the victim and demand justice for her.

    Lahore

    #MotorwayIncident: A Protest for Justice

    Date: 12th September, 2020 (Saturday)

    Time: 05:00 PM

    Venue: Liberty Round About

    Peace Protest For Motorway Rape And Transgender Murders

    Date: 13th September, 2020 (Sunday)

    Time: 04:00 PM

    Venue: Liberty Round About

    Also Read; VIDEO: Police blame mother-of-three survivor for gang-rape, say ‘she should have taken GT Road’

    Islamabad

    Protest against patriarchal brutalities

    Date: 12th September, 2020

    Time: 04:00 PM

    Venue: Islamabad Press Club

    Karachi

    Mera Jism Meri Marzi – Protest Against Patriarchal Violence

    Date: 12th September 2020

    Time: 04:00 PM

    Venue: Karachi Press Club

  • ‘Shoot me dead and don’t tell anyone,’ motorway gang-rape survivor quoted as telling first responders

    ‘Shoot me dead and don’t tell anyone,’ motorway gang-rape survivor quoted as telling first responders

    The survivor of the motorway gang-rape has been quoted by a journalist as asking the first responders to shoot her dead and do not tell anyone about what had happened.

    “A journalist friend was told by an investigating official that when the police reached the crime scene of #MotorwayRape the survivor started begging the cops to shoot her dead and not tell anyone about the incident,” journalist Ailia Zehra tweeted.

    “Can’t even begin to imagine what she must be going through,” she added.

    THE INCIDENT:

    On Tuesday night, it was reported that two robbers had gang-raped a mother of three on the Motorway within Gujjarpura police’s jurisdiction.

    The woman, along with her three children, was driving to Gujranwala in her car when she was forced to stop at the Gujjarpura section of the Motorway after running out of fuel at around 1:30 am. She immediately called a relative and sent him her location. He asked her to also dial the Motorway Police helpline 130 but she was reportedly refused help.

    In the meantime, two robbers approached the car, broke the window and took the woman and her children to nearby bushes where they raped her repeatedly in front of the children. They also snatched her purse that had cash around Rs100,000, one bracelet, car registration and three ATM cards. 

    The Gujjarpura police have registered a case, while motorway police spokesperson said they had not been able to take action as the incident did not occur in the limits of Motorway Police.

    LEAs EXPOSED:

    Separately, the delayed response to emergency calls made by the motorway rape victim have also exposed the level of coordination among the law enforcement agencies despite the government spending billions of rupees on the Safe City Project, The News reported Friday.

    An initial investigation into the incident and contradictory statements of senior officers confirmed that there was a lack of coordination between the Lahore Police and Motorway Police that resulted in a delayed response providing criminals enough time to flee after committing the crime.

    On the second day of the incident, Lahore CCPO Umar Sheikh said the victim had not called the police herself for help. Some of her relatives called the Motorway Police at 1:30 am.

    On the other hand, Motorway Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kaleem Imam said that the victim called the Motorway Police at 2:01 am and was informed that the Lahore-Sialkot Motorway does not fall in their jurisdiction.

    However, the Motorway Police forwarded the call to the FWO immediately. The lady didn’t get any help from the FWO either.

    Later on, a claim of the Dolphin Force surfaced that they received 15 calls at 2:49 am and reached the spot at 2:53 am. A cop of Dolphin Force said as he reached the spot, the woman was “stunned”.

    “She didn’t speak. She mustered up the courage after some time and then told the whole tragedy.”

    However, the Gujjarpura police in its FIR stated that they reached the spot at 4 am and didn’t find anyone there.

    A senior police officer requesting anonymity told The News that factually the Lahore Police and the Motorway Police had delayed the response over jurisdiction.

    They said the Safe City Project was launched after spending billions of rupees for a well-coordinated response and surveillance but the recent incident has exposed it as well.

    They added that call logs should be made part of investigations and strict action should be taken against the responsible persons.