As we celebrated the 74th Independence Day of Pakistan on August 14, 2021, another incident of assault was reported in Lahore. 400 men sexually harassed a woman at Lahore’s Minar-e-Pakistan, leaving the nation in shock and disbelief.
The incident came to the surface when videos from the scene went viral on social media. Several hashtags started trending on Twitter and netizens demanded punishment for the 400 criminals who attacked a TikToker named Ayesha Akram as she went to the park with four of her friends to celebrate Independence Day.
Police have registered a case against the people involved in the incident and an investigation is underway. Meanwhile, Pakistani celebrities, activists, journalists and politicians also spoke up against the heinous crime, asking the authorities to serve justice and demand a safer country for women.
Superstar Mahira Khan also took to her Twitter and wrote,
“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!”
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!
#MinarePakistan— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) August 17, 2021
Saba Qamar wrote,
“I’m at a loss for words right now, Empty just empty and I truly feel sorry from the core of my heart! High time we should take an action as soon as possible otherwise this will keep going on and on and we will keep failing as a society like always!”
I'm at a loss for words right now, Empty just empty and I truly feel sorry from the core of my heart! 💔
High time we should take an action as soon as possible otherwise this will keep going on and on and we will keep failing as a society like always!#MinarePakistan— Saba Qamar (@s_qamarzaman) August 18, 2021
“Another day, another incident. This time it was at #MinarePakistan on the #IndependenceDay. This time it’s about a woman assaulted by not 1, not 2 but 400 MEN! Let that sink in!,” wrote Muniba Mazari.
Another day, another incident. This time it was at #MinarePakistan on the #IndependenceDay. This time it’s about a woman assaulted by not 1, not 2 but 400 MEN! Let that sink in! pic.twitter.com/OrXrNrbbDu
— Muniba Mazari (@muniba_mazari) August 18, 2021
Irony! It was 14th aug Independence day,It was Pakistan’s national monument #minarepakistan and its trending coz #400men assaulted #ayesha who was celebrating Azaadi and patriotism!
— Amar khan (@iamamarkhan) August 18, 2021
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— Mansha Pasha (@manshapasha) August 18, 2021
Disgusted , Furious , Heartbroken , Ashamed !
Ashamed of being a man today , ashamed that the men of this country keep doing these horrible acts every other day, ashamed that the law of my country does not hang these predators so that this doesn't happen again #MinarePakistan— Farhan Saeed (@farhan_saeed) August 17, 2021
Another day, another incident, another moment we find ourselves collectively hanging our heads in shame.
Action, not just condemnation.
Bring the perpetrators to justice.— Osman Khalid Butt 🇵🇸 (@aClockworkObi) August 17, 2021
Now that we hav a plethora of evidence of what unfolded at #minarepakistan Can we finally see our police in action by putting those men responsible for this gruesome act behind the bars? Is this too much to ask for our women?#400men #lahoreincident #needanswers #protectourwomen
— Adnan Siddiqui (@adnanactor) August 18, 2021
The assault of a young women by a mob at #minarepakistan should shame every Pakistani. It speaks to a rot in our society. Those responsible must be brought to justice. The women of Pakistan feel insecure and it is all our responsibility to ensure safety and equal rights to all.
— BilawalBhuttoZardari (@BBhuttoZardari) August 18, 2021
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. #MinarePakistan
— Aseefa B Zardari (@AseefaBZ) August 18, 2021
We saw the video of the incident & the victim but that wasn't the only incident & she is not the only victim. We fail women of our country everyday in every city and every village and solution is not to replace bad men with good men but to empower women & fix societal imbalance. https://t.co/gzkeR96qgD
— M. Jibran Nasir 🇵🇸 (@MJibranNasir) August 17, 2021
Just spoken to the PM Imran Khan regarding Minare Pakistan Incident, Imran Khan is sad and angry over the Lahore incident. Ayesha will get justice soon In Sha Allah#MinarePakistan
— Aamir Liaquat Husain (@AamirLiaquat) August 18, 2021
400 MEN ! WRONG, THEY WERE ANIMALS AND THIS WAS NOT HARASSMENT THIS WAS SEXUAL TERRORISM. MY HEART GOES OUT FOR THAT GIRL WHO WENT THOUGH THIS AND I WANT TO TELL HER THAT WE AS A NATION ARE SORRY .. WE ARE EXTREMELY SORRY BEHEN. I AM SO SHOCKED TO SEE THESE VIDEO CLIPS.
— Aagha Ali (@AaghaAli) August 17, 2021
• 400 men and 1 woman!!!
I.can’t.even.imagine.
Giving me all sorts of trembles, triggering all fears.Mere mulk ke mardoun, from sexual harassment you’ve reached the level of sexual terrorism!!!
LOL @ freedom!#MinarEPakistan #400Men
— Mariyam Nafees Amaan (@MariyamNafeees) August 17, 2021
https://twitter.com/ImranAbbas/status/1427878815422898179
https://twitter.com/ferozekhaan/status/1427936374536261636
Another day, another hashtag in the name of a woman who was assaulted, humiliated & tortured. witnessed by a sea of men who could have easily prevented this from happening. When will this STOP? When will we feel safe?#minarepakistan #400men #lahoreincident
— Sajal Ali (@Iamsajalali) August 18, 2021
I want to hear what the “not all men” brigade has to say this time!!!
Hope this incident is dreadful enough to open your eyes..atleast this time there will be no judgement about the girl & how she could have AVOIDED the situation!
Extremely DISGUSTED! Disturbing!#lahoreincident— MAWRA HUSSAIN (@MawraHocane) August 18, 2021
Ive been mulling over what to write after this mob groping video surfaced on the net today from Minar E Pakistan💔. Kahan reh gya hamara adab, ihteram, shirafat, haya? Kaise 400 admion ne 1 aurat ko mazak bana dia? Ye kon log hain jin ki haiwaniat khatam he nahi hoti?
— Zahid Ahmed (@zahidahmed_) August 17, 2021
There was a time when I went to a mall with my friends. We were 5 boys. Upon arriving at the main gate, we were denied entry. Turned out boys only weren’t allowed. I was angry and offended. However, today, I understand why. We were a threat back then and we remain a threat now!
— Shahveer Jafry (@shahveerjaay) August 17, 2021
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