In a harrowing incident unfolding in Lahore’s Ichhra area, a woman faced accusations of blasphemy stemming from her attire, leading to a mob attack before swift police intervention saved her from further harm. Reports from Pakistani media on Sunday shed light on the distressing ordeal.
The altercation erupted while the woman and her husband were dining at a local hotel in a bustling market of Lahore. Eyewitnesses recounted how the situation quickly spiraled out of control as the mob, incensed by allegations of Quranic verses imprinted on the woman’s digitally printed outfit, confronted her, deeming the attire blasphemous.
Law enforcement authorities were promptly notified, and police units rushed to the scene to quell the escalating tensions. Amidst the chaos, the woman was apprehended by the police, seeking to safeguard her from the enraged crowd that surrounded her, hurling accusations and threats.
See how a Kurta became matter of law and order in #Pakistan:
A Muslim woman brought kurta with Arabic text on it assuming, it is a design. Later, people accused her of #Blasphemy. Islamic clerics & police had to intervene, also the woman apologised.
Hope she is safe & alive. pic.twitter.com/c3BZRsJlfn
— Subhi Vishwakarma (@subhi_karma) February 25, 2024
Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Sheharbano and her team exhibited remarkable courage and professionalism as they intervened to prevent further harm to the woman amidst the tumultuous crowd. Despite the volatile atmosphere, ASP Sheharbano and her team conducted a thorough inspection of the woman’s attire, finding no Quranic verses or objectionable content as alleged by the mob.
An official statement from the local police revealed that the commotion arose when onlookers misinterpreted words on the woman’s dress, mistaking them for Arabic script. Eyewitnesses corroborated this, emphasising that the misunderstanding sparked the confrontation with the couple.
A sad incident has happened in Lahore today!!*
A woman eating at a hotel in Achhra Market Lahore has been mobbed & accused of writing Quranic verses on her clothes. Police reached the spot and have arrested the woman charged her with blasphemy . pic.twitter.com/5ISwYgH9Kc— Sara Taseer (@sarataseer) February 25, 2024
An eyewitness of the incident recounted, “I had a talk with her father and her. She had accepted her mistake. She had no intentions to harm any feelings, and we decided to forgive her.”
The woman herself expressed remorse, stating, “I went to the market and I did wear the dress, but because I thought it was a design, I wasn’t aware people would perceive this as Arabic writing. I had no intentions to harm any feelings; it all happened because I lacked knowledge. I am Muslim; I can’t even imagine blasphemy, and I apologise to all for all that happened.”
🇵🇰 Vicious mob attacked woman for blasphemy in Lahore market
They claimed her clothes had Quranic verses written on them pic.twitter.com/xGOxmWUUFg
— AwesomeMughals (@AwesomeMughals) February 25, 2024
Amidst the turmoil, netizens expressed shock and condemnation over the incident, with one user on social media platform X remarking, “Lahore just escaped a Horror story. This woman would have been slaughtered in the name of religion had this ASP not rescued her on time.”
Praising the bravery of ASP Sheharbano, another netizen wrote, “Meet ASP Syeda Shehrbano Naqvi – what an incredibly courageous woman.”
ASP Sheharbano’s leadership and calm demeanour were pivotal in diffusing the tense situation. Addressing the agitated crowd, she delivered a poignant speech aimed at restoring order and pacifying tensions amidst the chaotic scene.
A woman was accused of blasphemy in Lahore’s Ichra Bazaar after people saw her wearing a dress that had Arabic words printed on it. She was saved by ASP Sheharbano and her team, who later said they found nothing objectionable written on her dress. pic.twitter.com/IbZctB32Vv
— Roohan Ahmed (@Roohan_Ahmed) February 25, 2024
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of swift and decisive action in safeguarding individuals’ rights and preserving social harmony in the face of religious sensitivities.
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