LAHORE: ASP Syeda Shehrbano Naqvi, serving as the Sub-Divisional Police Officer at Gulbarg Lahore, clarified that the woman who faced harassment from an enraged mob in Ichhra Bazaar wasn’t coerced into apologizing for wearing a shirt with Arabic script.
She emphasized that the woman’s consent was sought before she interacted with the two clerics she was seen with in videos.
ASP Shehrbano said that there was no coercion involved, and the woman spoke on her own behalf.
This clarification from the ASP comes following questions raised on social media about why the woman was asked to apologize when she wasn’t at fault in the situation.
On February 25, law enforcement intervened just in time to rescue the woman as she was being harassed by a crowd who deemed her attire blasphemous due to Arabic verses printed on it.
ASP Shehrbano, recounting the incident, mentioned that they had encountered similar situations previously and their priority was to defuse the situation and ensure the safety of all involved.
Regarding potential actions against those who harassed the woman, the ASP stated that they have identified the individuals involved and will address the matter once the situation calms down.
Regarding the meeting between the woman and the religious scholars nominated by the mob, ASP Shehrbano highlighted that it only took place after obtaining the woman’s consent, emphasizing her safety as a priority.
Reflecting on her role, the ASP remarked that during such events, the focus remains on preventing any loss of life or public disorder, rather than personal sentiments. She stressed the importance of maintaining composure and viewing situations objectively.
In terms of police response, ASP Shehrbano explained the protocol followed, which involves deploying relevant personnel based on the nature of the incident, ensuring security, and coordinating with relevant police stations.
She noted the presence of multiple officers, including SHOs from Shadman and Ichhra, as well as supervisory officers like ASP Model Town.
Additionally, she mentioned the involvement of sub-divisional and divisional officers in managing such situations.
