A police officer in eastern Pakistan is being commended for her heroic efforts in rescuing an unnamed woman accused of blasphemy from a mob of around 200 men. The incident occurred at a restaurant in Lahore, where the men falsely claimed that the woman’s shirt displayed verses from the Holy Quran, a serious accusation in conservative Pakistan that has led to mob violence in the past.
Syeda Shehrbano Naqvi, an assistant superintendent with Punjab police, arrived at the scene promptly on Sunday. She described the charged atmosphere of the crowd, which was vociferously demanding punishment for blasphemy. The situation escalated, with the crowd chanting threatening slogans, including calls for beheading as the punishment for blasphemy.
Naqvi recognized the urgency and engaged in negotiation with the crowd to defuse the situation. Despite the initial resistance, she appealed to the crowd to allow the police to investigate whether blasphemy laws had been violated. Eventually, officers formed a human chain to safely escort the woman out of the restaurant.
Later, it was revealed that the woman was wearing a shirt with the Arabic word for “beautiful” written on it. Naqvi, who demonstrated exceptional courage and leadership, has been recommended for an award by the chief of Punjab police.
The incident highlights the sensitivity surrounding blasphemy accusations in Pakistan, where past cases have resulted in deadly mob violence. Despite the tense situation, no arrests have been made in connection with the mob aggression. The victim, in a video statement, apologized for any unintentional offense caused.
In a separate development, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the first woman to become the chief minister of a Pakistani province, praised Officer Naqvi during her inaugural address, acknowledging the officer’s role in saving the woman’s life.
