Mahwish Ajaz, one of the foremost voices for #MeToo in Pakistan and a staunch supporter of Meesha Shafi in her legal battle for sexual harassment against Ali Zafar, has shocked many with her recent tweets.
Just a day ago, Mahwash took to her Twitter and tweeted out an apology to Ali Zafar.
The acclaimed blogger-cum-critic wrote that she had been unaware of certain facts in the past and was unapologetically vocal against Ali Zafar. However, she says that she has ‘learned the truth now’.
Without going into further details, Mahwish contends that soon enough people would join her stance.
“You will see why I’m writing what I’m writing,”
I write this with pain and anguish and I feel betrayed by many who have claimed to fight for this cause.
Also, I will be taking back all my tweets regarding the allegations against Mr. Zafar and those associated with him.
— Mahwash Ajaz 🇵🇰 (@mahwashajaz_) February 17, 2020
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Not only that, the Masala Magazine contributor announced that she will be removing all past tweets against Zafar. She even voiced that she had been misguided and betrayed.
“I feel betrayed by many who claim to fight for this cause.”
She also called out ‘cancel culture’ for the affect it has had on destroying lives.
We do agree with her stance on social media maligning. However, questions remain as to what has led to a U-turn in her viewpoint vis-a-vis Ali.
the one important takeaway is … you can't just say sh!t about people on SM/level allegations and expect people to believe you like you're telling the gospel truth.
all of us need some self-reflection & check the cancel culture we've helped propel.
— Mahwash Ajaz 🇵🇰 (@mahwashajaz_) February 18, 2020
Soon afterward, people lauded the writer for accepting a mistake and trying to be better.
Too late to understand such a basic thing. Though takes a lot of courage to reflect on one's own self✌ https://t.co/TLor2vP197
— Ebby (@EbbyAbsar) February 18, 2020
The best thing is that u accepted the reality after revealing. People even dont accept the real facts. So regretting it is the best thing and it will enhance your personality. Some times its not what it looks like. May ALLAH bless you and open your heart with his lightness always
— Malik Here (@Legendixvack) February 18, 2020
— Anjum Kiani 🇵🇰 (@AnjumKiani) February 18, 2020
There has been a backlash too….
Simultaneously, many netizens voiced a hunch that this might not be a heartfelt apology by Mahwish, but a hint of a future collaboration with Ali Zafar down the road.
Sounds more like a confused individual publicly jumping from one conclusion to the next. Screaming for attention as she does so.
— nehasaigol (@nehasaigol1) February 18, 2020
It also further sensationalises an already messy situation and panders to a certain majority that has already been saying this(ALI is innocent) without proof purely out of dislike for Meesha(& modern women who call our assault in general).
— Khizra (@KhizM) February 18, 2020
At this point I’m not even questioning whether you’re right or wrong. Maybe you are & maybe you’re not. But to tweet out something so ‘BIG’ without support could be triggering since we all know there were other victims. Ali has a ‘reputation’ independent of Meesha’s accusations🙄
— Khizra (@KhizM) February 18, 2020
https://twitter.com/Paraachaa/status/1229713266915598336
None. She was asking for an interview two days ago.
— nehasaigol (@nehasaigol1) February 18, 2020
‘Some incidents’ … some facts’ … ‘you’ll see’ – you seem rather confused yourself, with absolutely no substance.
Stop using the case for your own two cents, it’s not about you and no one cares if you feel betrayed, sorry.
Oh well, maybe you’ll finally get that interview.
— nehasaigol (@nehasaigol1) February 18, 2020
It should be mentioned that there is a general lack of action in sexual harassment cases. It is hard to prove that assault or harassment has taken place when it comes to crimes of a sexual nature. Unfortunately, such cases are ignored until they escalate to the worst possible degree (as seen in the case of Fatima Sohail and Mohsin Abbas).
Always impossible to find a court level proof in such cases.
— YK (@yuskan0723) February 18, 2020
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The fact that Mahwash Ajaz didn’t reveal the damning evidence she was referring to or explain the situation just added to the confusion.
You cannot just disappear without telling your audience what happened that makes you regret standing up for those women
— Kabutarr ja ja ja (@queserasarasara) February 18, 2020
In response to the backlash, she asked people not to jump to conclusions and malign others on social media.
“I request everyone to not level baseless allegations against me for ‘being paid’ or sold-out or whatever else”
Thanks. pic.twitter.com/aeijsdAzAT
— Mahwash Ajaz 🇵🇰 (@mahwashajaz_) February 18, 2020
Its hard to discount anything at this point in time, but hopefully Mahwish has said that she will make it clear what led to her change in stance. One can only wait and see what happens then.
