After the struggle for justice, Jami Mahmood AKA Jami Azad is stepping back from the Hameed Haroon case. The filmmaker opened up about struggling to fight this battle alone.
The Moor director posted a series of videos explaining his decision after a two-year battle.
“Jami here. My 1st and Last video on lahooti case and Hameed haroon. My apologies to all #metoo victims and activists. I’ve nothing to say to all of u anymore. I’ve said it all!”
Jami here. My 1st and Last video on lahooti case and Hameed haroon. My apologies to all #metoo victims and activists. i ve nothing to say to all of u anymore. I ve said it all! 🙏🏽@dawn_com @etribune @ZarrarKhuhro @hyzaidi @hamnazubair @reema_omer @cyalm @afiasalam @AuratMarchKHI pic.twitter.com/MyajqS3DdE
— jamix (@jamiazad2) August 4, 2021
He feels defeated is an understatement as the director recalled how he sought help.
“I guess it’s just better to back off, since I’m fighting this alone. Maybe that’s just what I think. Sometimes when you’re going through trauma you excessively feel as though you’re the victim. But the point is I’ve tried everything, all that I could do. I even tagged journalists and friends for two years, literally begged them, sometimes even intentionally (publicly), so that people can at least see.”
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Hameed Haroon Sends Legal Notice to Jami, Demands Public Apology
He shared that he wants to move on from the PTSD of his #MeToo story. Especially with both the Lahooti lawsuit and the Dawn lawsuit, Jami Azad was very clear about how this will destroy him particularly since he’s fighting this battle alone. He shared that even activists advised him to back down.
“My friends gas lighting me that was enough trauma.”
— jamix (@jamiazad2) August 4, 2021
Jami Mahmood even named names, listing those that just heard his story and moved on. However, Mubashir Zaidi had been emotionally supportive of him. He thanked the organizers of Aurat Azadi March for taking a stand for him.
Jami then addressed the conspiracies surrounding his decision to come forth
“It was said I’m with the Army and the Army wants to end Dawn. I didn’t meet with the military, in fact I was with Jibran.”
— jamix (@jamiazad2) August 4, 2021
The O21 director openly shared his sentiments of defeat saying he can’t win this battle in this country, and how difficult it is. He thanked DW News for publishing and highlighting his story. He then listed all those journalists and activists that did stand with him.
— jamix (@jamiazad2) August 4, 2021
Threats to his family were where the filmmaker drew the line and said that he can’t do this anymore.
“I’ve been destroyed. I had to evacuate my family, (we) had to leave Pakistan. I can’t let my family suffer anymore. I tried my best.”
He concluded that he needs to do this for his mental health and the safety of his children. Though he continues to thank everyone that stood up for him.
— jamix (@jamiazad2) August 4, 2021
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‘Will Not Spare Anyone’: Jami Azaad To Fight His Battle Alone
Naturally, Pakistani Twitter is heartbroken. Despite public support, pressure mounted on a famous director till he caved.
Feel ur pain & with u
— Fauzia Yazdani (@yazdanifauzia) August 6, 2021
https://twitter.com/aliza_shagufta/status/1423524475606343684
Thoughts and prayers for you Jami. For showing so much strength and courage.
— Osama (@sporrtingnerd) August 6, 2021
https://twitter.com/timebound4/status/1423527687981776898
https://twitter.com/amnshb/status/1423534445576003587
I'm so sorry Jami. All the prayers for you!
— Amna Khalid (@amnakm) August 6, 2021
People pointed out how despite his influence if there is no ‘justice for Jami’, what chance do other citizens have.
If even you can slay monsters then who can 😭
— Séfora (@valkyrie786) August 6, 2021
Sending you duas, loves and prayers Jami. You have done what no one dared to do. You have rattled the barbarians in their caves. InshaAllah you will succeed and they will rot.
— Areesha (@AreeshaPervez) August 6, 2021
Netizens highlighted how this is why victims don’t come forth in Pakistan.
Hi @aClockworkObi. Listen to this. You were one of the people who openly supported Jami. I know you still do. This is why victims in our country dont speak up. Jami feels lonely, he feels demotivated, he feels tired of fighting alone. Should we leave him like that?
— Areesha (@AreeshaPervez) August 6, 2021
Oddly in a country where vigilante justice, honor killings, and lawlessness is rampant problem winning battles like these in court prove most difficult. Share your thoughts and feelings in the comment section.
