JUI-F’s Hafiz Hamdullah thanked journalist Marvi Sirmed, who he once sexually harassed, for supporting him against the revocation of his Pakistani nationality. Hamdullah expressed gratitude to Sirmed for raising voice for him despite acute differences.
Recently, Marvi Sirmed, protested against Hafiz Hamdullah being stripped off from his Pakistani nationality, though he originally is an Afghan national. Last week, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) had cancelled his citizenship, accused him of fraudulently obtaining Pakistani identity card. The JUI-F leader had challenged the drastic step in the Islamabad High Court.
PEMRA ban on TV appearances of Mr. Hamdullah is sheer violation of his inalienable freedom of opinion & expression. He's a misogynist who takes pride in threatening women for rape. But that's not why you're hounding him. You're against him coz he's Afghan national? Shame on you.
— Marvi Sirmed (@marvisirmed) October 26, 2019
This is the reason why Mr. Hamdullah's nationality has suddenly become an issue. None of us should support Govt's action of forcibly ousting him from Pakistan and taking away his acquired Pakistani identity. Very very dangerous precedent. Its not about his misogyny. Not. pic.twitter.com/x4vF3NhhsX
— Marvi Sirmed (@marvisirmed) October 26, 2019
Meanwhile, Marvi Sirmed joined a social media campaign in favour of Hafiz Hamdullah. She posted a series of tweets on her social media account, slamming the authorities for revoking Hafiz Hamdullah’s citizenship in vengeance of his anti-army and anti-COAS speeches at a public rally. In one of her tweets, she shared a video of Hafiz Hamdullah addressing a public rally alleging the Pak Army of rigging the elections. She professed that the decision is purely to punish him for his anti-army assertions.
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She even rebuked PEMRA for banning him from appearing on talk shows. Following the NADRA’s notification, PEMRA had banned him from appearing as guest or analysts in political talk shows.
Marvi Sirmed’s support for Hafiz Hamdullah came as a surprise to the several social media using owing to the distasteful exchange of remarks between them back in 2016.
Hafiz Hamdullah’s threatens Marvi Sirmed
Hafiz Hamdullah had publicly threatened Marvi Sirmed of sexually abusing her during an argument in Nadia Mirza’s TV talk show in 2016. Hafiz Hamdullah was a senator at that time and is infamous for his bad temper and has in past threatened many guests in talk shows.
During the discussion, Hamdullah got annoyed at a comment made by Barrister Masroor, another guest taking part in the discussion. When it was her turn to speak, Sirmed started her comment by saying “I agree with Masroor sahib to the extent that…” but was interrupted by the senator.
Hafiz Hamdullah thanks M Sirmed for support – I am repeatedly seeing liberals gaining regard of conservatives because of their unwavering principled stances. Kudos @marvisirmed . And also appreciate Hamdullah for the realisation & acknowledgment. https://t.co/eMPJh8t9rv
— Gul Bukhari (@GulBukhari) October 28, 2019
Sirmed, in her Facebook post and through her tweets, described what happened thereafter. She says, “he started abusing me with worst possible expletives. Called me a whore and said “tumhaari shalwaar utaar doonga aur tumhaari maa ki bhi (sic).” and that translates to “I will strip you off your Salwaar and will do the same to your mother.”
Read more: Women politicians in Pakistan have to deal with severe sexual harassment: Reham Khan
When Sirmed responded with a “try that with women in your own family”, Hamdullah tried to beat her. Another guest on the show, Fayaz ul Hassan Chauhan, held Hamdullah back, and Sirmed was saved from his punches. She says, “He had to be taken away by the News One security.” She ends her Facebook post saying “And this religious merchant was fasting while he did all this.”
Following the row, Marvi Sirmed had filed a petition of threatening her with severe consequences. In her police complaint, she alleged that JUI-F senator used vulgar language against her and threatened her of severe consequences. She requested the police officials to register a case against Hamdullah under the law.
What was your reason for this tweet back in 2016 and why did MR. Hamdullah’s nationality became an issue for you back then @marvisirmed ? Really confused!! https://t.co/UsBem5nRgg pic.twitter.com/zoc9to5jIG
— Shiffa Z. Yousafzai (@Shiffa_ZY) October 27, 2019
https://twitter.com/ShNoumi/status/1189116372657287169
Social Media Questions
Now, a visible turnaround in Marvi Sirmed’s stance for Hafiz Hamdullah, and her support for him in the aftermath of recent incidents bewildered the social media users. As several netizens had pointed out that Marvi Sirmed herself had raised the issue of Hamdullah’s fake citizenship in one of her tweets.
Wat is a bigger concern Hafiz Hamdullah not allowed on tv or him turning out to be an Afghan after staying senator by obtaining a Pak ID card with means unknown & nobody knew about it for years? For liberals who suddenly fell in love with JUI n mullahs prior is of bigger concern
— Shiffa Z. Yousafzai (@Shiffa_ZY) October 26, 2019
According to latest developments, Islamabad High Court listening to the petition filed by Hafiz Hamdullah against NADRA on the annulment of a Pakistani citizen has ordered the authorities to restore his Pakistani citizenship.