Pakistani journalist Iqrar-ul-Hassan is receiving immense flak on social media as Twitteratis accuse him of running an anti-Pakistan campaign with his comments. While interviewing Ayesha Akram, the victim of the Minar-e-Pakistan incident, Iqrar-ul-Hassan said he thanks God for not being blessed with a daughter due to the rising sex crimes against women in Pakistan.
The comment did not go well with Twitteratis and they accused him of running an anti-Pakistan campaign. The accusations also come as social media users claim that the recent incident at Minar-e-Pakistan was a publicity stunt. Therefore, the stunt aimed to run an anti-Pakistan campaign.
Taking to social media, Iqrar-ul-Hassan debased all such claims. On his official Twitter account, he shared a notice calling for the suspension of top police authorities. According to Iqrar-ul-Hassan, if the Minar-e-Pakistan incident was a “drama” then the government of Punjab would never have taken such strict measures.
“If Ayesha fabricated the Minar-e-Pakistan incident, then why the suspension order?” Iqrar-ul-Hassan tweeted.
After the incident, authorities issued a transfer and suspension order for Lahore DIG Operations Sajid Kayani, SSP Operations, Additional SP Operations exchange, local SDPO, and SHO.
اگر مینارِ پاکستان واقعہ عائشہ کا رچایا ہوا ڈراما تھا تو پھر اس واقعے کے بعد لاہور کے ڈی آئی جی آپریشنز ساجد کیانی کے تبادلے کی سفارش، ایس ایس پی آپریشنز، ایڈیشنل ایس پی آپریشنز کے تبادلے، مقامی ایس ڈی پی او اور ایس ایچ او کی معطلی کا حکم کیوں جاری ہوا ہے؟ #پاکستان_زندہ_باد pic.twitter.com/hE2dwnNLMg
— Iqrar ul Hassan Syed (@iqrarulhassan) August 20, 2021
According to Twitteratis, Pakistan is a safe place for women, however, journalist Iqrar-ul-Hassan, along with Pakistani content creator Yasir Shami portrayed a negative image of Pakistan by their decision to interview Ayesha Akram.
Read more: Pakistan is safe for everyone: Twitter users slam anti-Pakistan trend
Iqrar-ul-Hassan denies accusations
Netizens also claimed that Iqrar-ul-Hassan interviewed the victim for ratings. Social media users voiced their anger at Iqrar-ul-Hassan’s comments as he interviewed Ayesha Akram. They also ran a Twitter trend demanding his arrest.
In response, the journalist uploaded a video on Daily Pakistan and denied all allegations. He stated that he only interviewed the girl after finding out that she had registered an FIR.
According to Iqrar-ul-Hassan, it was remarkable that after such a harrowing incident, the girl had the courage to register an FIR. Usually, the victims of sexual assault remain silent over such incidents, Iqrar-ul-Hassan said.
“Shami and I were inspired by the girl and wanted to help her,” Iqrar-ul-Hassan said.
Read more: Netizens compare Iqrar-ul-Hassan with Shahid Afridi on statements of ‘daughters’
Therefore, Iqrar-ul-Hassan went with Sham, to interview Ayesha Akram, the victim of the Minar-e-Pakistan incident.
Iqrar-ul-Hassan also addressed the criticism he received for showing Ayesha Akram’s face in the interview. On such sensitive issues, the interviewers hide the victim’s identity. However, Iqrar-ul-Hassan clarified it was Ayesha’s decision to show her face.
Furthermore, Iqrar-ul-Hassan condemned the people saying that Ayesha Akram brought the ordeal on herself. He stressed that under no circumstances anyone should ever sexually assault a woman.
He further urged people to stop calling the incident a conspiracy to malign Pakistan’s image, as incidents of sexual assault do happen in Pakistan.
Read more: Netizens call Minar-e-Pakistan incident a publicity stunt