Sharmila and the media: Irresponsibility at its best
Sharmila Farooqui made the rape victim's account sound inconsistent.
“Gang rape in Clifton” was a headline plastered across most newspapers today; while most news agencies protected the victim’s identity, English newspapers Daily Times and The Nation violated media ethics by publishing her full name, the area where she lived, the license plate number of her car and other details about the victim’s personal life.
Enter Sharmila Farooqui
During her media briefing, Information Adviser Sharmila Farooqui publicly named the victim and spoke of her in an apparently derogatory manner; it seemed that she had expected the victim to give her a full-blown account of the incident, and when that didn’t happen, the disappointed official thought it best to describe the girl as “hyper” and “batameez”. She proceeded to say that the little information she had obtained from the victim was “her (the victim’s) version” and that investigations were under way. Is it too much to ask that Farooqui show sensitivity and professionalism to a rape case? It seems that she arrived at the scene after succumbing to media pressure and spoke casually about the horrific incident, implying that the victim’s version was warped and inconsistent.
‘She lived with her boyfriend’
The police were completely out of line when they disclosed that the victim resided with her boyfriend – a statement that was published in a newspaper today. It makes me wonder if this media-police tag team is some deranged version of Batman and Robin that thrives on sensational news. One creates frenzy and the other leaps to the occasion and spews information that catalyses the media hype.
It is utterly shocking that this victim is being harassed by the media, who seems to be conducting a trial of its own. What is worse is that the girls involved have been accused of having loose characters and are being depicted as “call girls” who are involved in “trafficking women”.
Is this why some news agencies have disclosed their identities? A victim’s personal life should by no means undermine the gravity of the crime that has been committed. Farooqui and the irresponsible media persons should issue an apology to the traumatised victim instead of making her out to be someone with loose morals.
My question is this: even if she is a prostitute – doe she not have the right to procedural fairness and a fair trial?
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of The Express Tribune.
Ethics is a thing that is becoming harder to find each day in our society. Our media is becoming more insensitive each day. Our media has become self proclaimed revealer of truth. In pursue of truth they have lost their sensitivity and ethical norms. They show blood drenched corpses after bomb blast, take interviews from the family of rape victims. And the worst thing is that they run the same story over and over again as if they are programming our brains. I think, media is one of the reasons in the increase in hate and anger in our society.Recommend
Very nice post.Recommend
This is pathetic.Recommend
True. Even if she’s coming form a dance party, it doesn’t give anyone a right to rape her. Everyone should get a fair trial. If victim doesn’t want to be on media, makes sense.Recommend
Atika, completely agree with you. Prostitute or no prostitute, living with a boyfriend or not. She is a human being isnt she. The only thing that Sarmila should say “Ongoing Investigation-we will let you know when we have more details” that is all she had to say. Now she has fed these small bit and pieces to the media, words like badtameez, “her version”, “coming back from a party”, “living with a friend’. Now that we are so open minded we will not make any judgement. Insanity prevails again.Recommend
I am pretty much ashamed how this situation has taken shape. Our media has once again proven their non worthiness.Recommend
why does her personal inclinations matter?
her rights have been violated and focus should be on that.Recommend
Lets see, how long before Sharmila Farooqi joins the comments that will follow after this brief blog, do you remember the article by Sadaf Fayyaz about Mathera, that got Mathera ticking and into the comments section.Recommend
Can a Woman be any MORE INSENSITIVE! Shame on these ppl for trivializing an offense as heinous as rape (proven or otherwise!)… both the media men present for their snide remarks and ms. farooqui’s irk at not having been given adequate protocol and her 30secs of camera glory (hugging and consoling a distraught dihati abused woman)!
It is a very bad day for the women of urban Pakistan, today!Recommend
I am shocked at the behaviou of Ms Sharmilla Farooqi
How can a female be so insensitive to the pain and suffering of another women
Who were the 4 men? who owned the car?
Some one is being protected
Chief Justice of Pakistan should take suo moto notice of this sad and sorid incidenceRecommend
Media in this country has become the judge, jury and executioner. Slandering character is a past time they indulge in every so often. There is nothing known as Media Ethics here and this is something that should be taken a note of. I do not know when the day will come when the media gurus of this country will hang their heads in shame for with each passing day, they tend to lower themselves a little more after you think they can go no lower!
A very good article indeed. Really liked this line from it: ‘It makes me wonder if this media-police tag team is some deranged version of Batman and Robin that thrives on sensational news.’ SO TRUE!Recommend
This has been truly sick past 24 hours. People like Sharmila and the way media acted in the race for breaking news on this… all of them are criminals of this rape…
An open letter has been written by some of the Take Back The Tech Campaigners. It is accessible here: http://goo.gl/WKFZlRecommend
@Dr. Amyn Malik:
Media is always a reflection of the society, in any country. They are not isolated from the people, they are the same.Recommend
Very well said and well assessed the no doubt our politicians no matter they claim to be so called enlightened but are the lease enlightened people and so is our media… weather english or Urdu both have yellow journalism at peak!!Recommend
I honestly have nothing to say on this matter; my only response is to bang my head on the wall. Hey, Dorothy clicked her heels and was whisked away, maybe headbanging will whisk me away to a fantasy version of Pakistan, where justice prevails, and equality is granted to all, whether they’re ‘shame shame’ girls that your grammy says are indecent or not.Recommend
She should be given all rights and procedure must be followed while investigating this crime!Recommend
Atika, please be our prime minister .. or president? …Recommend
So what is the issue with the girl that she is not responding to Ms Sharmila’s questions. She only got RAPED by 4 men. so what?. She should have answered Ms Sharmila’s questions with a smile otherwise……………Recommend
@Ghausia:
+1Recommend
why does our media blame the others when the media does not follow proper rules, that girl was abused with out her consent so she was raped, then no one has the right to discuss her character. her identity was disclose by two newspapers they should be question by their respective unions or whatever.Recommend
Why Sharmela and media is disclosing the identities? And is this really a rape case as only one girl was raped while the other was beaten?. And from Sharmeela’s comments and media’s coverage it seems that it is not merely a rape case there may be something else (eg. settling old scores, blackmailing, or…).Recommend
Pakistan is a muslim country. Such acts can never happen in the islamic republic of pakistan.
Im sure the perpetrators and the paan eaters are all Jewish and this again is a conspiracy by Mosad and RawRecommend
@Muslim Boy:
Correction, only such acts which are “not reported” can never happen in the Islamic republic of Pakistan.Recommend
Why is everyone surprised? Is it something new to hear that a victim is being blamed for what happened to them, especially in case of a rape? Is it the first time the media has violated someone’s privacy by publishing details anywhere they can? When you start hearing people ask why one girl was beaten and the other sexually abused, and how women ‘deserve it’ for being provocative (the only provocation being the fact that you’re a woman, actually)… you can’t really sink any lower as a person, can you.Recommend
@Muslim Boy:
Let me give you the advice my mother has always given me. a) always think before you speak. b) If you can’t say anything intelligent, then it is better to stay silent than be proven a fool.Recommend
In PPP’s Raj, Tinted glassed Prados are involved in Gang Rapes esp in Clifton and Defence area. Its not difficult for Karachites to figure out what the wadera breed is upto.Recommend
What Mehvesh said.Recommend
A prostitute subjected to violence also merits justice.
We have to learn to differentiate one’s background from what happens to them.Recommend
Agree with the writer.. Media or anyone has no right to play with ones life.. Media should report such cases with the permission of viticms and present clear picture of that.. Rather than creating criousity among viewers.. And our viewers are skilled at detoriating ones character.. On their next comment they come up with words like “prostitute” or “village bicycle”etcRecommend
@ Aikta…
Everyone over here knows very well what the situations of country particularly Karachi are, one has to to take extreme care of his own.People can kill you for a two thousand rupees cell phone. DHA is a safe area as compare to Liyari but it does not mean that one should walk or drive on its roads at mid-night, because we live in Pakistan. Media should not add to the to victim’s tension and worries. very sad…. okay she was living with her boyfriend but is it make lawful to rape her? very sad, verry very sad……….
For Sharmila Farooqi …
you should think that you are a girl tooRecommend
I wonder if she would have been rolling her eyes and speaking in such condescending tones if it was her own daughter who had been raped. This crash and kidnap method isn’t even new. It’s been done before many times and they’re talking as if the sole cause was the party. As if any girl who goes to parties or drives without a man in the car deserves this.
She’s standing there in full party make-up, implying things about a young girl’s character, and casually gossipping with the police as if the victim is an unruly perpetrator.
“Becharay police walay..woh toh kuch bol hi nahin rahi..yeh to USKI version hai..dekha jai ga”.
As if the girl is the criminal for dragging them all down to the medicolegal office to make them do their jobs. Sharmila seems irked that someone disrupted her dinner and caused her a huge inconvenience. (But she had enough time to get pretty for the cameras.) Someone please start a petition to get her fired. Not that it’ll ever happen, but she needs a dose of her own medicine. Public humiliation for being so arrogant and beastly.
This is just like the Sialkot Incident, Adil Butt’s murder, and the murder of the 12 year old maid…except when rape is involved everyone’s sympathies disappear. As if it could never happen to them.Recommend
Our respected Police, Media and Government officials need some education and training in dealing with crimes like rape. The media and Sharmilla’s response reflects a society in which female victimization and domination is a part of everyday life and not something hideous and or shocking. It is always easy to blame the victim by saying she invited it because of the way she dressed or because of her life style. Rape is not a crime of passion but a crime of aggression against a man or a woman.( lets not forget that men are raped as well )
Does that mean anyone can anytime rape a prostitute or a woman they think is acting like one?
To interrogate a rape victim you need to be very careful and sensitive as re telling their story in front of others is just like being raped all over again and a humiliating experience in it self.
Lot of rapes go unreported because of the fact that the woman, her character and her lifestyle would be put on trial. If a woman dresses inappropriately does that give anybody the right to rape her. Rape is a crime of aggression against a person and should be treated as a crime and investigated as a crime and not some titillating news story in which a woman’s reputation is put through the shredder. We as a nation have a long ways to go as far as women’s rights and ordinary people getting justice are concerned…..Recommend
Usama Khilji “A prostitute subjected to violence also merits justice.
We have to learn to differentiate one’s background from what happens to them.”
What the heck does this gibberish mean? It smells like the bad breathe of a holier than thou running his mouth to pass verdicts and fatwas, while forgetting his personal load of sins on his shoulders!!
NOBODY deserves such savagery. NOBODY has the right to abuse a victim of a most heinous crime for pandering of his/her own petty agenda.
The society is disintegrating from left, right, and center. The rot of this nation is like that of the ancient wrong doers, who were eventually wiped out to clean the mess. Those transgressors also considered them selves to be superior and chosen and hence beyond Allah’s reach. Alas, the deaf, the dumb, and the blind deprive themselves of the guidance and mercy of Allah. One’s heart trembles with fear at the fate this nation is calling upon itself, through its arrogance and ignorance.Recommend
I agree that everyone, including protstitues have a right to legal recourse. And that the case should be investigated before pronouncing the verdict.
BUT i do find it strange that all the commentators fail to apply the same criteria to the allegged rapists. Why jump on them and insist they commited rape until the case has been investigated? And character WILL be a key criteria when the case is heard. As it is the world over.Recommend
Shame!!!!!!!!But shouting out “shame!!!” wouldn’t have any effect on the shameless “public representatives”. Revolution is the Only Solution.Recommend
I guess my blog came too soon then the ‘shock sell and forget’….the media and the po-po have out done themselves.
The problem will remain, we will all scream and shout and nothing will happen, like nothing happened in the hajiano situation….nothing will happen here….and i agree with tanzeel, PPP raj and their wadera kids are behaving exactly the way they do when they treat their mazaras..Recommend
@ mahvish and @ natasha – with due apologies my madams, but please dont use the word sink in coversations.Recommend
@Ghausia:
my mom also dishes out karelay advice.Recommend
every body should take responsibility for this..media should have code of ethics for showing such videos and also the law 7 order agencies must also ensure the dignity and honor of the victims familyRecommend
@Ghausia. Muslim Boy said something you didn’t understand. Please try to understand the sarcasm behind it.
The media can go to hell. So can the politicians and so can the whole of the country.Recommend
People should learn to ignore Ms. Sharmila. She has no sense whatsoever when she is infront of the media. This is the same woman that went on TV and said she believes Zardari to be an honest man and that thanks to efforts of the PPP we are about to eradicate poverty in Pakistan (if that is so, this is a gigantic shock to all of us who live in reality). In a normal country, such a spokesman would have been fired a long time ago and laughed at for the sheer amount of incredulous statements she makes on a routine basis.Recommend
We’ve seen, over the past few years, that media channels have used the misery of others as a tool to fulfill their own agendas. Most of our ‘media men’ are irresponsible, illiterate(verbally and mentally) and harbor petty mentalities.
More so, our justice system leaves a lot to be desired too. In the west, for instance, media channels and government officials making such ridiculous statements can be sued and forced out of business. As long as our people in power, media included, aren’t held accountable for their actions, this sort of scum will rule the streets.Recommend
sir very well said…my vote with u …. u know being a nation we the public we are dull, we do not take stand on the issues, and ultimately we are giving room to our representatives to do whatever they like. we are actually unaware of the power of public…. u raised a vary valid issue and i hope you will not give up till solution arises.Recommend
We live in a country where ethics are hard to find
@Awais Farid Khan:Recommend
Some twenty years back I read that in the coming days this country will be run by semi- literate, semi-educated, semi-cultured, semi-professional, semi-religious lot of people.
The person who wrote this was not wrong.Recommend
There’s nothing shocking in Farooqi’s stance.. she’s to paki politics what Meera is to lollywood!Recommend
It’s very true. Media and other institution must follow professional ethics. As far as Sharmila’ attitude is concern” she is belongs to class of Queen of France who said that why people did not eat cake if bread is not available”.Recommend
I cant quite understand what is the basis for Ms. Farooqui to be eligible for the position she currently holds other than I think we most already know how she got here by virtue of her fathers close links to PPP. Anyways, pathetic approach to handling situations, perhaps had it been someone from her own family, it would have been interesting to see if the name ‘Farooqui’ would ever been leaked!Recommend
What shall i say except, thanks for writing on it……….Ms Farooki;s beh pissed me off yesday………Recommend
@Tanzeel:
I do not recall an extremely well bred, well behaved and disciplined nation under the rule of any other political party. The identities of the rapists have not even been revealed how can you jump conclusions as to which political party they may be associated to? Raping is a crime committed by a psychopath, I fail to understand how a political party can be held responsible. The white corolla gang was arrested during PPP tenure, are you presenting any accolades to them for that?!Recommend
As to the situation at hand, I personally believe we do live in an Islamic state and such cases of aggression will be minimized if we start acting the way we are required too, as stated out by our religion. Those men were presented with an ooportunity to committ this henious act. If these women were at home, as midnight is a time which requires them to be, they would not be stuck in a situation as such. More than anything EVERYBODY needs to start practicing their religion, and EVERYONES problems will be solved. There are reasons why women are asked to stay covered, men are asked to keep their gazes lowered, and drug/liqour use has been termed haram. More than blaming others we need to start questioning and rectifying our ownselves. The girl raped should simply ask the question “why am I in this turmoil right now” to her ownself, whats happened cannot be undone but she might change things to have a better future.Recommend
@Aaliyah:
That’s one heck of a good sarcastic remark!Recommend
@Aaliyah, it is so easy to lecture in a pompous self righteous way. Whatever religious “issues” the victim might have with religion is between her and her maker. There is no excuse for rape. There is no excuse for the media sensationalising the world of hurt she is in. There is no excuse for people like you using a crime to self pontificate.
Many many social problems exist, but the childish “EVERYBODY needs to practice religion” will not solve any problems. Zia ul Haq has managed to demonstrate that very well.
I would advise you to take your religious right-wing extremism out of what should be a proper discussion as raised by the article.Recommend
Non-professional journalists with a good command over English, and a love for Jello-journalism.Recommend
A Girl lives with her boy friend didn’t give anyone license to rape her.
Dance parties are common on the other side of Clifton Bridge nothing new in it, Shermila had to be cautious with her remarks, she represents government and government should be responsible in her acts.
Sindh Government needs a serious and responsible person to represent her.Recommend
My question is this: even if she is a prostitute – doe she not have the right to procedural fairness and a fair trial? i vote in affirmative.Hey why dont’ the people of Clifton take out a protest march tomorrow against the atrocities committed against this girl it could one of them or their kin.Recommend
@Aaliyah Does religion teach you to rape people because they are not some 18th century rulesRecommend
@Aaliyah
Let’s admit, we south asian men (speciallly Punjabis) are women gazers. We look down upon them and see them as objects rather than humans. We feel that a particular woman in a particular situation ” deserved” it, so long as she is not our Mother, Sister or wife.
Is this what you are implying?Recommend
@Aaliyah
If you live in Karachi, try getting out after midnight, and drive through the khayabans of karachi – you’ll know what Tanzeel means.
No doubt the identities of the rapists have not been revealed – oh, did I miss something here? – the identities of the rapists will never be revealed ( for some obvious reasons)Recommend
what a legend – needs to go back to school and learn from manners from her “political” background! check her degree whether its fake or not (that may give some inisight on her cabilities as a human, no? (!).
To be honest , the role of media and the fact that it playes a vital role as an opinion generation trigger as opposed to simply reporting the news as it is needs to be questioned.
Media STOP sensationalising news!!!!!!!!!Recommend
@Naveed Afridi:
I do not exactly see how I justified her getting raped just because she is NOT religious or whatever, I stated a simple thing, which applies to both a man and a woman, that our religion has left guidelines in order to avoid RAPING and being RAPED. If you’d read between the lines, you’d try and understand what I tried getting across here. The media and sort of ideas put forth by Ms. Farooqui implied that the girl was of a bad character. That doesnt justify anybody being raped. I applied a simple theory, if we brace and hold on tightly to what our religion says such crimes would be minimized. Staying at home at 3 am is applicable to both MEN and WOMEN.
Kindly, look at things from a broader prespective. As you said her religious issues are between her and her maker, kindly tell me why she is being judged and being termed as a prostitute/dancer? Because God may forgive and forget but society never will.
As to your reference to Zai-ul-Haq, he legitimized his reign as a Martial Law Admistrator by holding on to religion. Keep him out of this.Recommend
I wonder what part of this godforsaken country has the right to be tagged as a Muslim country? I simply don’t understand why the heck do people insist on calling it a Muslim country/state. Muslim states do not have licensed wine shops in every area or prostitution/brothel licenses being given out openly. Heck now one does not require a license to run a brothel. A Muslim state/country follows the law by the book, not against the book. I seriously wonder when people of this country will quit dragging religion into everything just to prove their point. Yes, the rapist should be hanged or stoned or a police encounter seems pretty decent if u ask me. Heck one can even get the cops to lace his food n there u have it, he dies. But, then again. Who may I, ask u will bring upon the true hand of justice? All of us sit comfortably in our secure areas n have a heck lot to write but, is there someone who will come out n Actually Do something?! No one!! If someone will like to do so, then go do it already. I did once, it is a struggle against a raging storm but, yes it is always fruitful cuz justice is always served to the needy in the house of Allah. Just get up & Do Something. That’s all I would suggest. Fight this menace as u would spray & kill a pest in your house. This country if not anything else is Your home, it is My home, it is Our home!! It’s time to clean Our Home Ourselves & not debate on which brand of pesticide someone else should use.Recommend
@hellrysr
Then do something – you know where the Clifton thanna is – go and do something – there is no difference in you and the 50 politicians who come on tv everyday.Recommend
@Aliyah What a graceless remark. So I suppose people who die in earthquakes and tsunamis are also paying for their sins?
It’s disgusting how there is a greater stigma on a woman dating than there is on a man raping/beating/killing, even by other women.Recommend
@Aaliyah:
“Staying at home at 3 am is applicable to both MEN and WOMEN.”
Where in the Qu’ran it says that men and women should stay at home after 3 am?
Why the —– you want people to do what you want them to do?
If “religion” had solved the problem of rape and if it was as simple, since you suggest, than this world would have gotten rid of it a long time. Or you think world is not religious and the 1.5 billion Muslims are fake (forget about the majority Christians).
There’s so much wrong with your “simple” thinking that it is a waste of time to even divert this conversation.Recommend
@Aliyah, regarding this statement which you made:
“If these women were at home, as midnight is a time which requires them to be, they would not be stuck in a situation as such.”
Not only are you suggesting that women who are outside of their homes after midnight are asking to be raped, you’ve somehow made an assumption at all rapes occur after midnight. You’re also assuming that these girls were drinking and indulging in debauchery even though we have yet to heard their side. Yet you have the gall to preach Islam. Aliyah, I’m sorry to inform you this but YOU are not following Islam by jumping in along with the slew of people slandering these girls.
Next time, please don’t make the mistake of thinking you’re the only one who cares about Islam or that bad things only happen to bad people. I’m really tired of all these people who love to preach Islam, but only in context of others. As if Islam doesn’t apply to them, just others.Recommend
What about that innocent 4 years old girl? What about the girl who were coming back from school? What the women who got raped by thieves in the presence of their sons and husbands.What about a 12 years old girl of a poor farmer?
What sort of character they have? What was their fault?
These news now-a-days,are headlines of every bulletin if you are following them then you might not be teaching your Islamic knowledge here.
Think before you speak Unfortunately, every person wants to be superior by showing off his/her Islamic knowledge. These people sorry to say disgust me.
Our nation is sleeping and our state is sleeping we are being cursed.Its shameful to say if we were living in olden days we had no doubts been labelled as the nation being punished by Almighty Allah for its sins.Lord have mercy on us show us right path!Recommend
@Pakistanian.: lol! there u go telling someone else to do ur dirty work. instead to Telling me what to do y dint u take the step instead to once again telling someone else? besides i never said i am a politician & where did politics come into this in the 1st place? neither am i on tv & if u loath the ppl running the country so much dont watch them :) btw those running the show r ones amongst ourselves too, only that they see things from a different angle. ever try stepping into another’s life then despise them buddy. btw thats exactly what i said earlier. Do Something, dont instruct another.Recommend
Its a shame our government has hired such insensitive and battameez people. The lady speaking has no right to speak about anyone like that. She should be given training first as to learn how to speak, she is insensitive……..we as a nation need to speak up against such corrupt government ministers………lets join hands and ask this female to publicly apologise on the media!!!!!!!!or step down from her high pedestal which is about to crumble down soon inshallah!Recommend
@Mommadin Boota:
A very wise woman she is then apparently, though I’m not a fan of karelas myself. :DRecommend
@Aaliyah:
Who died and made you the judge and jury? What makes you think the girl is a Muslim? What business is it of yours how she practices her religion, or what kind of social life she leads? And how dare you imply that its useless to bemoan your fate when it was your fault you got raped for being out late?Recommend
Wow, you guys are really taking it OUT on this Aaliyah girl. Is there something wrong with how you’re reading her statements or perhaps i am reading it differently. She practices her religion and according to her, 3am or whatever time is not a time to be out, and SO what if she believes that, she isn’t imposing her views on anyone else. Face it, late night is NOT a safe time to be out in Karachi; i don’t know about you, but i wouldn’t be out after 10 because its gotten so unsafe. I didn’t get the idea Aaliyah was saying this girl deserved what happened to her. She doesn’t. Nor are her views ‘right wing extremist’ they are pretty dang normal to me- they sound like someone who has a different opinion. What exactly are you all fighting for anyways, if you want to fight, fight for that girl who didn’t deserve to be raped and her rapist deserves the death penalty.
I do NOT believe her ‘sins’ (NOTICE QUOTATION MARKS, I don’t wanna come back here and have to explain myself- oh hahaha, i don’t have to) have to be publicized, that’s her business. Who knows what religion she is, muslim or not, and frankly, i don’t even care, her business, her problem.
You guys need to learn to live together, all this fighting and the catty comments get you NO WHERE, see this is why this country is in pieces, no one can even express an opinion without being torn to shreds.
Maybe Pakistan should be ‘Pakistan’ without the ‘Islamic republic of’ because we have all sorts of people and this isn’t an Islamic state anyways. Half of you are so intolerant of people who practice Islam!Recommend
@Fauzia Haider:
I second your arguements. Well said.
Also ( to the writer ) a very good article.Recommend
People who have versions of other peoples character’s should be very careful.
Everyone has a past and character assassination is not something which wont haunt you. !
Its not like we dont know who does what and who has done what. Humbleness and humility would better serve everyones purpose, but then i guess some people will never understand.
What goes around surely comes around.Recommend
@Ghausia:
I agree with you Miss Ghausia, which world is he, this so called Muslim Boy living in, he is just another TP passing on a statement i.e even the slightest of occurring happens due to our Country’s own lack weather, Political or Economical people get excited passing on remarks and statements India hai America hai apnay app ko tou dekho phelay.Recommend
@Amna Mela:
hi Dr. Mela, hope you are good,
The remark made by Miss Aaliyah, is no doubt an inelegant one, but portrayed buy lots in different understandings, no girls do not ask for rape themselves, but what she probably meant was or means is that it is in “real” not safe at a particular time of night to be outside of domestic sites especially for girls, and speaking of the city Karachi one knows better, with the conditions of the city moreover our country Pakistan.
But on the other hand your are right Dr. Mela, the Holy Book and Islam has nothing to do with this case, Islam is “Faraz” a Free Practice for all mankind and for-self and to the Almighty it can’t be imposed or forced, but stating the obvious as a “Muslim” a good “Muslim” one knows better, but just for a second put Religion, Ethnicity, Race and Age aside this is not even humane but a cannibalistic act.
There is no reason and I would myself, not either object or like to comment on the individuals personal status, priority or activity for that night or what ever the reason of the individual might have been to be there full stop, because for the simple reason there is not justification of the individual being victimized of this animal like behavior.Recommend
@Emme:
I totally agree with you on this one, everyone has a different understanding to different statements and opinions like the phrase “a picture can say a 1000 different words’ so simple, all Miss Aliyah is saying, that it is not safe especially for girls to be outside of domestic sites after a particular time at night, speaking of the city Karachi one knows better, as well moreover our country Pakistan, she is not saying that the girl deserved that inhumane and cannibalistic behavior.Recommend
@Emme:
I totally agree with you on this one, everyone has a different understanding to different statements and opinions like the phrase “a picture can say a 1000 different words’ so simple, all Miss Aliyah is saying, that it is not safe especially for girls to be outside of domestic sites after a particular time at night, speaking of the city Karachi one knows better, as well moreover our country Pakistan, she is not saying that the girl deserved that inhumane and cannibalistic behavior.
http://blogs.tribune.com.pk/?wp-subscription-manager=1&email=vaguetwentyeight%40yahoo.com&key=9528e1a0489f88ca3c81fa80db936f45&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.tribune.com.pk%2Fstory%2F3564%2Fsharmila-and-the-media-irresponsibility-at-its-best%2Fcomment-page-2%2FRecommend
@Emme:
I second your opinion.Recommend
@u48998:
Correction, Islam is practised in Pakistan no doubt, but but do you really think its an Islamic Republic “NO” its more of a “Hypocritical” one, where let alone Religion, Ethnicity, Race, Age and Gender are considered, but where the system of “Hummanity” is not even defined, Now does not “Islam” teach us that ?Recommend
@Humanity:
Um, you call what I say gibberish, and continue to further my point afterwards. Maybe look up the ‘gibberish’ in an English dictionary?Recommend
It just goes from bad to worse doesnt it? Who’s worse-the corrupt and grossly incompetent police? The corrupt, incompetent, blackmailing and sensationalizing media? The corrupt, incompetent, and all aroud useless goverment? The correct answer in Pakistan is obviously none of the above, as the real culprit is the victim!!!! Bravo police, media and government! That’s why we love you! Only in this great nation! (No need to turn over in your grave Mr. Jinnah, it’s only our 64th year and we’re just warming up!)Recommend
@Awais Farid Khan:
very nice article and a very good point.
all the politicians and the so-called journalists around pakistan have this habit of linking people specific attributes to the event and then churning out a debate on people; the event is lost in all of this. sharmila farooqi is a master at it!! fauzia wahab to name another, and lets not forget firdous ashiq awan.
and the journalists are so cool that they let those debates lead on because what we get is ‘masala’.
fact is that there was an accusation of a gang rape, there was a broken car which was for sure involved in an accident. who cares what the character of the victim was like. in that moment in time there was a gang rape unless the defendents go around claiming that the victim wanted to do all this because she said it would be kinky and that they can prove it – which i highly doubt.
btw; it just so happens that i was present at the new year’s party where ms. farooqi was partying. i personally dint find anything wrong reference to what my acceptance of social norms is. but the character reference being raised by ms. farooqi depicts that she would never indulge in what many would believe to be social vices; i beg to differ!! lets just say that she doesnt mind a good party, and there is nothing wrong with that. but if somebody raped her, would she question her character and suggest that it was brought on by herself??
media and government, both need to get a grip of themselves. forget sensationalism and political statements (her version, my version). both need to sharpen up and realize that everything cannot be treated the same way. news of rape must be handled differently to political news. same goes for the government, dont act unbiased; where its smart to do so around political affairs and other political parties, such events require you to show absolute resolve and support for the people.Recommend
I love the blog Atika, it’s infiltrating how politicians treat people, and even worse how it’s acceptable. You should write an article in the editorial on this one, and blast her. Stupid fiend.Recommend
“A victim’s personal life should by no means undermine the gravity of the crime that has been committed.” so true… same stands true in the case of Salman Taseer.Recommend
Absolutely agree with you Atika!Recommend
awful in human and ugh what should i say about this allRecommend
Watch ‘Crash’ by David Cronenberg… might shed light on this case…Recommend