The gruesome incident of violence against women, reported in capital of most populous province Punjab, where a female TikTok star was groped, molested, harassed and stripped by not one, two, or three men but by hundreds of men on the occasion of Independence Day at Greater Iqbal Park of Lahore sparked a wave of anger and resentment across the country.
The incident came to light after a video went viral on social media, showing hundreds of men attacking a woman as she went to the park with her friends to celebrate Independence Day.
A case had been registered against 400 people allegedly involved in the incident. In her FIR, the complainant had said that she and her companions were filming a video near Minar-e-Pakistan on Independence Day when around 300 to 400 people attacked her.
“People were pushing and pulling me to the extent that they tore my clothes. Several people tried to help me but the crowd was too huge and they kept throwing me in the air,” she said, adding that her companions were also assaulted.
“The unidentified persons assaulted us violently,” she said in her complaint, adding that her ring and earrings were “forcibly taken”, and her friend’s phone and identity card were snatched.
She also claimed that the people were pushing and pulling her to the extent that they ripped her clothes.
She also said that some people tried to help her but the crowd was too large and kept tossing her up in the air.
The girl said that her ring and earrings were "forcibly taken”, as was the mobile phone of one of her companions, his identity card, and some cash that he had on him.
“If a woman is not safe in her Pakistan, in her own city, then she is safe nowhere,” she said in an interview, between sobs.
She said that people continued to touch her and treat her like a ‘plaything’. “There is no part of my body which is not bruised,” she added. The woman recalled calls being made multiple times to police to come to the rescue, but no one came for hours.
Key politicians, celebrities, renowned personalities and netizens have condemned the incident and said that it has brought shame to Pakistan.
Reacting to the incident, Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif said that he is “deeply disturbed” at the harassment of a young woman her companions by hundreds of people at Greater Iqbal Park in Lahore.
Meanwhile, Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari said that her ministry is in touch with Punjab authorities “to ensure strict action” against the perpetrators of the condemnable attack. “Arrests made, FIRs done. MOHR following up,” she said.
The human rights minister called for a change in violent behavioural patterns in the people of Pakistan, saying that while laws exist and effective implementation will certainly prove to be a deterrent, but mindsets also have to change. “That is the challenge we are now focusing on along with law implementation,” she said.
“What Ayesha faced on #MinarePakistan is what every Pakistani woman has faced at one time or another. In smaller magnitude maybe but everyone has faced it in one point of life or another. It is time to refuse to let this happen, or stay silent when it does,” wrote Sania Ashiq, a member of provincial assembly of Punjab state, where the incident occurred.
“I can’t believe what I just saw! I’ve said it before and I will say it again – make an example out of these men!” wrote Mahira Khan. In another tweet, she continued sarcastically, “Damn, I’m sorry, I keep forgetting – it was HER fault! Poor 400 men, they couldn’t help it.”
Actor Mansha Pasha added, "What they will say: Pakistan is an Islamic Republic and Madina ki riyasat. What is the reality: Woman molested by 400 men at Minare Pakistan on Independence Day during Azaan. We preach religion and patriotism here but we follow hedionism and barbarism."
In a follow-up tweet, the Laal Kabootar actor continued, "This whole drama of why was she there and what was she wearing is getting really old and noone is buying it anymore. Sahi se eik hi dafa bol do, we dont want to do anything to protect women and we want to keep stripping you of dignity because we can. Also no more of, 'Islam gives women all the rights.' Unfortunately most here dont follow even Islam's basic tenants of human decency but know how to preach it to others like an Islamic scholar."
PPP representative Aseefa Bhutto Zardari also tweeted, "We cannot continue to bury our heads in the sand. Pakistan is not safe. Not for our women. Not for our children. Our children aren’t safe from rape even in death. This is the disgusting shameful reality."
‘Yes all men,’ say social media users as the hashtag trended in Pakistan. Many people who previously disagreed with this statement have also said that they were wrong and that yes, all men are responsible if not accountable for violence against women.
Recent cases of violence against women have triggered a debate about Pakistan’s failure to protect women, a culture of impunity, and the reasons behind society's tendency to curtail women's independence and inflict pain on them.
Pakistan currently ranks as the sixth most dangerous country in the world for women and is currently witnessing a rapid rise in cases of sexual crimes and domestic violence.