Nida Yasir’s youngest son appeared on her morning show to celebrate his birthday with the viewers. After the show was broadcasted, Nida posted her son’s pictures on her official Instagram handle.
Soon after the Nadaniyaan star posted Balaj’s pictures, netizens flooded the comment section with derogatory comments, primarily for his hairstyle. Gendered statements were passed for the child.
A harrowing video recently went viral on social media in which a man, Usman Mirza, was seen harassing and assaulting a young couple. He had a few male accomplices with him, and he was also armed. Mirza beat up the couple, stripped them, and subjected them to sexual assault. Pakistani women on social media came out in support of the young couple and also voiced how unsafe and insecure they feel in a society full of misogyny and violence.
Following an uproar on social media, the police arrested Usman Mirza and his accomplices. The police also reached out to the couple to record their statement. According to media reports, the couple recorded their statements separately under Section 161 of the Criminal Code. The incident took place last year in November and the couple was blackmailed by the culprit; they ended up paying more than a million rupees to Mirza. This was clearly not an isolated incident as more videos have been found from the mobile phones of the arrested men. It shows that this gang of criminals has been indulging in such nefarious activities for quite some time now.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has taken notice of the case. The Islamabad police chief briefed PM Khan on the case yesterday. Thankfully, the police have so far been extremely responsible and have not indulged in any victim-blaming, unlike the Motorway gang rape case where CCPO Lahore’s comments about the rape survivor were atrocious, to say the least. SSP (Investigations) Atta-ur-Rehman appeared on a few TV talk shows and actually talked about why such incidents are not reported by victims and survivors due to social taboos. Unfortunately, we still have people in our society who think the victims are somehow at fault instead of holding the culprits solely responsible for their crime. Just last month, PM Khan made a controversial statement in an interview where he said that if women wear very few clothes, it will have an impact on the men unless they are robots. And today, in a now-deleted tweet, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) lawmaker Hina Butt said that while beasts Usman Mirza should be condemned but is it not necessary that we teach our boys and girls why they become targets of such beasts. “Our youth should also introspect their own behaviour.”
One wonders why the young couple should introspect when they were the victims and not the perpetrators of a despicable crime. In fact, those who are busy blaming and shaming innocent victims should be introspecting instead. Such attitudes do not just make victims and survivors more insecure but are extremely triggering for those who have faced sexual harassment, assault, and rape. Why is it that ‘honour’ is always linked to a woman in our society? Why is it that instead of empowering women, even empowered women end up blaming the victims of abuse? Why is it that everything depends on how a woman was dressed or where she was or who she was with or at what time she went out? Why? We need to uproot this deeply embedded misogyny from our minds. We need to make our women feel secure. We need to make our laws stronger and implement them so that these survivors have trust in the justice system and also in our society so that they do report such harrowing incidents instead of staying quiet due to expected backlash. When we start pointing fingers at the victim, we end up empowering the criminals, the perpetrators of violent crimes. Stop this trend. Enough is enough.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s (PML-N) Hina Pervaiz Butt took to Twitter to comment on the Usman Mirzacase. She ended up blaming the victims instead in a now-deleted tweet. In a harrowing video that went viral on social media, Mirza was seen torturing, harassing, and assaulting a young couple in Islamabad along with his accomplices.
Hina Butt tweeted, “Why do young people go out and become victims of people like Usman Mirza?” She added that we also need to educate our children on why they become targets when they go out.
Twitterati reacted to Butt’s tweet and called her out for blaming the victim.
Natasha Kundi, a writer wrote, “According to her [Hina] young people go out and deliberately become victims …. so basically young people shouldn’t go out!”
Hina Parvez Butt is asking, why do young people go out and become victims of people like #UsmanMirza. According to her young people go out and deliberately become victims …. so basically young people shouldn’t go out! https://t.co/w8N3i7Pvs6
Lawyer Reema Omer said Butt’s take was no different from CCPO Lahore’s comments. She tweeted, “Why can’t we focus on criminal acts of the perpetrators instead of lecturing victims?”
Abhorrent take, no different from CCPO suggesting survivor of motorway rape should’ve taken precautions
Why can’t we focus on criminal acts of the perpetrators instead of lecturing victims?
How heartless does one have to be to even imply victims were in any way responsible? https://t.co/Ys3H1umCup
Singer and UNODC Goodwill Ambassador, Shehzad Roy, tweeted, “It is true that the oppressor should be severely punished, but it is very inappropriate to criticise the oppressed.” Roy further said that it is akin to blaming victims of a robbery by saying that the locks were not strong enough so it is their fault.
یہ سچ ہے کہ ظالم کو کڑی سے کڑی سزا ملنی چاہئے لیکن اسی لمحے مظلوم کو تنقید کا نشانہ بنانا نہایت نامناسب ہے۔ یہ ایسا ہی ہے کہ چوری ہو جاۓ اور آپ کہیں کہ گھر والوں کا قصور ہے کیونکہ کنڈی کمزور تھی۔ https://t.co/OoemKogkjo
A Twitter user showing his disapproval with PML-N’s leader’s statement compared her stance with CCPO Lahore Umar Sheikh’s comments in the Motorway rape case where he had blamed the victim.
یہ “اگر مگر” اس سوسائٹی کا اصل چہرہ ہے کیا فرق رہ گیا وہ موٹروے ریپ کیس پہ CCPO اور منتخب نمائندے حنا پرویز بٹ میں؟؟؟ https://t.co/UFgBX81Wqc
Journalist Zeb Aslam tweeted, “There is next-to-no difference between this and IK’s statement linking “modesty” and rape…a point that I hope both PMLN and PTI supporters can appreciate before leaping to defend their chosen leader.”
There is next-to-no difference between this and IK’s statement linking “modesty” and rape.
…a point that I hope both PMLN and PTI supporters can appreciate before leaping to defend their chosen leader. https://t.co/WTkpFwDPfJ
Inspector-General (IG) of Police Islamabad, Qazi Jameel-ur-Rehman, had a meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday and briefed him on the ongoing investigation regarding sexual assault and harassment of a couple by Usman Mirza and his accomplices.
The IGP is personally monitoring the case after the arrest of Usman Mirza to ensure criminal action, a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office said.
“The premier was informed that all scientific methods are being used to collect more evidence. The IGP also informed the prime minister about the law and order situation in Islamabad,” the statement said.
Prime Minister had earlier taken notice of the case and telephoned IG Islamabad and sought details of the incident from him.
“The police should use all their energies to bring all the accused to justice and share the report with the PM Office,” he added.
Referring to the suspects, Usman Mirza and his accomplices, PM Khan said such people don’t deserve any concessions.
Earlier this week, police arrested four people after a video of them holding a couple at gunpoint, forcing them to strip and then beating them up went viral on social media.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah recently stopped at a roadside stall set up by a visually impaired old man in Karachi to address his complaints.
As per reports, the old man requested different Karachi authorities, including the chief minister, by writing a note on a board behind his refrigerator that stated: “Please don’t harass me and have mercy on this old man.”
Murad Ali Shah was reportedly on a visit to a location nearby when he spotted the board and stopped to have a cold drink. CM Shah, along with other ministers, asked the man who was troubling him. The man replied that the police and the administration were creating some problems for him.
CM Shah instantly called Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) East, SSP East and the Administrator KMC and asked them not to bother the elderly man.
CM Sindh visited Tariq Road Graveyard to address complaint of an old citizen, selling cold drinks under name of Khan Cold. Citizen had complained of being harassed by administration. CM issued immediate orders to facilitate Khan sb to carry out his business in a respectable way pic.twitter.com/BiMau1KueY
— Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui (@murtazawahab1) June 27, 2021
CM also told them that they should buy soft drinks from the man whenever they visit the area.
Murad said that the man is working hard to earn an honest livelihood to fulfil the needs of his children. “This old man is the best example of hard work and self-sacrifice and we need to encourage him,” he further said.
Murad Ali Shah, Sindh’s chief minister, is known for his snap visits across Karachi, one of the world’s biggest cities, and this Sunday he decided to stop at a roadside shop near Tariq Road to beat the heat with a chilled beverage.#etribune#Sindh#MuradAliShah#ViralVideopic.twitter.com/XZBOGHXNx2
Indian Actor Pearl V Puri, popularly known for his character in Naagin 3, has been arrested under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for the alleged rape of a minor girl. The 31-year-old actor was arrested yesterday on June 4.
According to details, the actor was taken into police custody on Friday at a police station (Vasai) for the allegation of rape of a minor who is also an actress. A statement has been issued by DCP of Vasai, saying: “He has been remanded to police custody and booked under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.”
Soon after the news broke on the internet, Puri’s co-star from Naagin 3, Anita Hassanandani extended her support to him. She shared a picture with Pearl on Instagram and wrote: “Woke up to some nonsensical news bout Pearl Puri. I know him! It is not true. Can not be true, all lies. I’m sure there is more to it. And the truth will be out soon. Love you Pearl.”
As per the latest updates, Puri has been granted bail post being in police custody for being falsely accused of child molestation. With actress Karishma Tanna just confirming the news of actor’s bail being granted its just about time that we will soon get to know his side of the story.
Pearl V Puri was last seen as the main lead in Indian TV series Brahmarakshas 2, where he played the role of Angad Mehra.
The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Monday suspended a court order, directing the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to register a case against Pakistan skipper Babar Azam over a harassment allegation.
In the petition, Azam’s lawyer told the court that the trial court did not listen to his client’s point of view. He added that his client was innocent and appealed to the court for justice.
The LHC, while suspending the order, directed the FIA to submit its response in the case within two weeks and issued a notice to complainant Hameeza Mukhtar.
In his petition, Azam’s lawyer also appealed that he was an international cricketer and the captain of the national cricket team in all three formats. It contended that the order passed by the sessions court was an “unreasoned, non-speaking order”.
The court directed the complainant to present her stance in person or through her lawyer.
The Pakistan team skipper had challenged an order by a sessions court, directing the FIA to register a case against him under the cybercrime law on the harassment complaint.
Mukhtar, in her petition, had accused Azam and two women of harassing her and sending her death threats via WhatsApp through different mobile numbers.
She said she was continuously blackmailed by the suspects, adding that they threatened to upload fake pictures of her on social media if she did not accept their demands.
The FIA in its report filed with the court said the cricketer did not appear before the investigating officer; however, his elder brother appeared and sought time on behalf of the defendant to record a statement.
“Since, a regular inquiry has been commenced with respect to the complaint of the petitioner. Thus, the respondent (FIA) is directed to proceed further with respect to registration of FIR against the culprits within the stipulated time after committing legal formalities,” the sessions court had said in the order.
Earlier, Mukhtar levelled allegations of abortion and deceitful intercourse on the false assurance of marriage against the cricketer.
She accused Azam of maintaining illicit relations and making false promises of marriage. She also alleged that she got pregnant in 2015 with Azam’s baby but on his wish, got it aborted. Later, they reportedly reconciled.
Naumaan Ijaz has often ruffled feathers with his opinions on the global #MeToo movement and thoughts on feminism.
The veteran actor in a recent interview talked about his character in Dunk and the “misuse” of #MeToo movement.
Responding to a question about controversies these days, Ijaz said: “Controversies are not created from our side they are created [by other people], for [their own] personal interests.”
He continued: “The problem we have here is that sometimes someone says something in a different state of mind and we don’t understand the context and we just cherry-pick.”
The actor added that controversies don’t bother him and people can say whatever they want about him.
Talking about the criticism he faced for his character in Dunk, Ijaz said: “The criticism should have been subjected on the character or the subject, not on me.”
“The story is based upon real incident, that happened in Punjab, where someone was falsely accused harassment,” shared Ijaz. “Whenever we accuse someone we do not realise the impact that accusation will have on that person, and their family.”
The actor continued: “No one has tried to sabotage the #MeToo Movement. No one should [be allowed to] harass anyone. There should be a punishment for it [harassment].”
“But who will decide if it actually happened [the harassment]?, he questioned.
“We have black sheeps in our society who manipulate right things in a wrong way,” stated Naumaan. “[We are] just pointing out that this can also happen [false accusations of harassment]. So before punishing anyone, it is better to investigate and verify.”
He further said: “Iss play se to mere khayal mein hakoomat ko yeh faisla karna chaheeye kay iss mulk me jhoota ilzam lagani ki bhi koi saza honi chaheeye (The government should consider making false accusations of harassment a crime in the country).”
Meanwhile, answering a question about an interview he gave earlier in which he talked about cheating on his wife and getting away with it because he is such “a great actor,” Naumaan said: “I am only answerable to Allah. I don’t bother with what people think.”
Later, in a social media post, Ijaz said: “We love to hate. If we don’t like anyone, just ignore. But no, it’s our farz to abuse or write something nasty in [the] comments.”
“How can we talk about tolerance when we don’t have it in us,” he added.
More than two years after Sajid Khan was first accused of sexual harassment and misconduct, Sherlyn Chopra has leveled fresh accusations against the Bollywood filmmaker, alleging he had flashed his genitals in front of her and asked her to feel his penis.
Recounting an incident that took place back in 2005, the Indian actress wrote, “When I had met him in April 2005, a few days after my father’s demise, he had taken his penis out of his pants and had asked me to feel it. I remember having told him that I know how a penis feels like and that the purpose of my meeting with him was not to feel or rate his penis.”
Sherlyn went on to say that she is not accusing him but disclosing facts, adding that their phone record is proof of the incident.
“It’s not an accusation but the disclosure of a fact. Our phone records of the past may be checked regarding the same. After flashing his penis, he had not only asked me to touch it and feel it but also asked me if I had ever seen a penis as well endowed as his.”
She further said: “I was emotionally broken at the time as in early April 2005, I had lost my father, late Dr Prem Sagar Chopra. A few days after my father’s demise, I was called for a meeting by the filmmaker. Little did I know that the meeting would be centred around his penis!”
Later, when a Twitter user asked why she did not file a complaint about her own experience, Sherlyn replied: “He has the ‘superstars’ of Bollywood to vouch for his ‘character’. It’s my word against theirs.”
He has the ‘superstars’ of Bollywood to vouch for his ‘character’. It’s my word against theirs. The Bollywood mafia is a strong syndicate. https://t.co/x5hUm1tzVm
— Sherlyn Chopra (शर्लिन चोपड़ा) (@SherlynChopra) January 18, 2021
Chopra’s “disclosure of facts” come days after BBC released Death in Bollywood. The three-episode documentary series traces the mysterious death of late actress Jiah Khan who allegedly died allegedly by suicide in 2013. It has only been released in the United Kingdom for now.
In the second episode of the series, Khan’s sister Karishma made explosive revelations, saying that Khan subjected her sister to sexual abuse. She alleged that the filmmaker had asked Jiah to remove her top and bra while shooting for Housefull movie. The film also featured prominent actors such as Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone, Riteish Deshmukh, Arjun Rampal, Lara Dutta, Boman Irani, Randhir Kapoor, Chunky Pandey, and Malaika Arora.
Meanwhile, Akshay Kumar, in 2019 had said that he would work with Sajid if he is acquitted.
“I don’t know exactly what has happened in his case but if everything goes well and if he is acquitted, I will surely work with him in the future,” Kumar had said.
A woman allegedly cut off the genitals of her ‘boyfriend’ in Lahore’s Harbanspura area.
As per reports, the woman was infuriated over the victim’s attempt to blackmail and harass her.
According to the complaint, the 37-year-old resident of the Vehari district came to Lahore six months ago for work. He claimed that he had a date with the woman, who also lived in the same area, for the last 18 years.
The man claimed that the woman had called him over to her place a few days back, revealing that, “She attacked me with a sharp weapon and cut my genitals and then locked me in a room”.
When he cried out for help, some neighbours took him to a hospital.
The police have filed a case, recorded statements of witnesses and gathered all evidence from the crime scene.
According to details, the man was involved in harassing and blackmailing the culprit forcing her to take the law in her own hands and take this step as a ‘self-defense’ move.
