Pakistan: Police officials suspended for failing to protect woman TikToker
Some 100 taken into custody as massive hunt begins for nearly 400 suspects amid outrage
ISLAMABAD: The Punjab government on Friday suspended a Station House Officer (SHO) and a Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) for failing to protect a TikToker from assault on the Independence Day, August 14.
The incident that shook the entire country took place at the Minar-e-Pakistan, the national site of historic significance when some 400 persons assaulted a female TikToker who had gone there for recording a video.
There were voices of countrywide condemnation and people demanded exemplary punishment to the culprits.
According to the provincial Inspector General of Police (IGP) Inam Ghani, besides suspending the officials, Divisional SP, SSP Operations and DIG Operations Lahore were also trsan from their posts.
Strict departmental action will be taken once Enquiry Committee submits its detailed report on the role and response of other officers in sha Allah, he said in his tweet on Friday.
The Punjab police meanwhile arrested around 100 people on charges of assaulting and groping the female Tiktoker.
The suspects have been identified with the help of modern technologies such as NADRA match and ‘geo-fencing.”
The provincial government on Friday released the medical examination report of the victim, which confirmed details of the injuries she sustained after being assaulted.
Signs of inflammation were found on the woman’s body, the report said, adding that her neck, right hand and ears were swollen.
There are three scratches on the right side of her chest and scratches on her left arm, back and both legs.
There are also several bruises on her body, the report said.
From Friday, the three-member probe committee, comprising the additional IGP and Managing Director (MD) of Punjab Safe Cities Authority, DIG internal Accountability Branch and AIG (logistics) formally started investigating the incident.
The incident took place when the TikTok star had gone to the Greater Iqbal Park, Minar-e-Pakistan for recording a patriotic video.
There, some 400 persons, mostly youngsters who had come to visit the place assaulted her for over two and a half hours and tore her clothes leaving the girl almost dead.
Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar on Thursday directed Inspector General of Police (IGP) Inam Ghani to submit a final report on Friday regarding the assault and harassment of the female TikToker.
The IGP presented an initial report to the chief minister during a high-level meeting at the headquarters of the Punjab Safe Cities Authority. The meeting reviewed the progress made in the investigation so far.
The IGP told the meeting that he had called the National Database And Registration Authority (NADRA) chief a day earlier and requested for early identification of the culprits who assaulted the woman.
As soon as the NADRA staff shares with us the information we shall launch the massive huntdown, he told the meeting.
Probe committee to fix responsibility
The three-member committee according to the Terms of Reference (ToR) will look into the issues of the security deployment at the Greater Iqbal Park in view of the large gathering, the nature and quality of the police response when the incident was happening and the cause of or the justification for delay in the registration of a first information report (FIR).
It will also “fix responsibility for any laxity, oversight, commission or omission” by the Lahore police while the incident was happening and afterwards.
Countrywide call for action against culprits
After the video clips of the incident went viral on social media there was a countrywide outrage against the incident and people called for arrest of the culprits and exemplary punishment to them.
Chairman of the Pakistan People’s Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari in a tweet, regretted that the assault of a young woman by mob at the Minar-e-Pakistan should shame every Pakistani. It speaks to a rot in our society, he said adding those responsible must be brought to justice.
Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and Opposition Leader in the National Assembly former Chief Minister of the Punjab, also condemned the incident terming it a worrying sign for the society. “What is more worrying is the direction our society is headed to. The recent anti-women incidents are a reminder that malaise is deep-rooted. Very Shameful,” thus said the ex-Chief Minister of the Punjab.
In a couple of tweets, film star Mahira Khan said, “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! Damn I’m sorry. I keep forgetting - it was her fault!! Poor 400 men. they couldn’t help it.”
Shehbaz Sharif, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) President and Opposition Leader in the National Assembly former Chief Minister of the Punjab, also condemned the incident terming it a worrying sign for the society. “What is more worrying is the direction our society is headed to. The recent anti-women incidents are a reminder that malaise is deep-rooted. Very Shameful,” thus said the ex-Chief Minister of the Punjab.
In a couple of tweets, film star Mahira Khan said, “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! Damn I’m sorry. I keep forgetting - it was her fault!! Poor 400 men. they couldn’t help it.”