The barbaric Lahore Motorway rape has drawn massive uproar in Pakistan, drawing scathing condemnation across international platforms. The country is currently experiencing one of the worst cases of sexual violence on women. Many have taken to the streets to demand swift justice for the woman who got attacked and raped in front of her children.
According to data by the Punjab police, at least 2,043 cases of rape and 111 cases of gang rape have
been registered in 2020. Pakistan is among the 10 worst countries regarding rape cases, reports PTI.
On Monday, A-list Pakistani celebrities took to the streets to condemn and demand justice for the victim at the Karachi Press Club. While some like Feroz Khan, Minal Khan, demanded public hanging, others like Mahira Khan, Mehwish Hayat, and Ayesha Omer raised their voices for justice while also calling for a movement to cut out the misogynistic belief system in Pakistan.
Celebrities condemn Lahore Motorway Rape
“Harassment is everywhere, but the problem stems from the mindset,” Mahira Khan said to a local news outlet at the protest.
“Its time we made our men understand and not place the ounce of rape on women and their lifestyle,” said actor Yasir Hussain at the protest.
“One day it’s a 5-year-old child. The other, a 4-month-old baby. Today it’s a transgender activist, who was asking for protection a year ago. What do we have to say about ourselves as a nation? We can’t protect anyone. Except for our egos. #JusticeforGulPanra,” renowned Pakistani actress Ayesha Omer said.
Other celebrities including Yassir Hussain, Sarwat Gilani, Aijaz Aslam, Adnan Siddiqui, Bushra Ansari, Sara Ali Khan among others were present in support of women on Monday.
Lahore Motorway Rape
On Thursday, a woman was attacked when her car broke down while she was driving from Lahore to Gujranwala with her children. Unidentified assailants robbed and later raped her in a nearby field while her children were reportedly made to watch.
The incident drew major flak on national media highlighting the unsafe lifestyle of women in Pakistan. Shortly, after the incident, Lahore police chief Umar Shaikh’s in a statement blamed the victim for the rape causing massive shock and disbelief from the public.
Pakistan PM Imran Khan calls for “Chemical Castration”
Following the massive outrage, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday called for public hanging and chemical castration of rapists.
“They should be given exemplary punishments. In my opinion, they should be hanged at the chowk. The way murders are graded as first, second, and third-degree, rape should also be graded this way. The worst grade rapist should be castrated and made incapable completely,” he said.
Meanwhile, police on Monday arrested one of the two assailants suspected in the crime. Punjab provincial chief minister Usman Buzdar said the man Shafkat Ali, has confessed to committing the crime.
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