Woman recorded statement over Lahore incident 'voluntarily': ASP Shehrbano

Assistant Superintendent Police (ASP) Sheherbano Naqvi stated that the woman, who was harassed in Lahore’s Icchra Bazar for wearing a dress with Arabic calligraphy, recorded her statement of her own volition. 

Speaking to a private news channel, the ASP, who rescued the woman from the mob, clarified that the victim was not pressured to give a statement but made the decision to do so voluntarily.

According to the woman cop, two Station House Officers (SHOs) were present at the scene in Ichhra Bazaar, it was difficult for the vehicle to reach the place where the woman was. 

Therefore, they escorted the woman on foot and safely transported her to a car on the main road.

"Our primary objective was to maintain order and prevent any loss of life or property during the incident," she added. 

The policewoman explained that the mobsters brought their religious leaders to speak with the woman. The officials first confirmed with the woman if she was willing to engage in a conversation with them. She agreed, and the conversation took place.

“We did not ask the woman to make any statement, and she volunteered her own account of the situation,” she added.

Some individuals within the crowd acknowledged taking responsibility for their actions in a written statement, stating that the incident arose due to a misunderstanding.

The ASP confirmed that the individuals involved in harassing the woman have been identified and authorities will take appropriate legal action against them in due course.

The harassment incident occurred in Lahore’s Ichhra bazar on Sunday when videos surfaced on social media, showing a policewoman, Syeda Shehrbano Naqvi, addressing an angry mob to remain calm as she safely rescued a girl accused of blasphemy for wearing a dress with Arabic calligraphy.

According to reports, some shopkeepers defended the girl, providing her shelter in a shop and explaining to the mob that it was merely an Arabic calligraphy print. 

Recognising the sensitivity of the situation, the traders promptly called the police to the scene. As tensions escalated, higher officials were also summoned immediately, who intervened to diffuse the situation and took the woman under protective custody.

An hour after detaining the girl, police officials clarified to the media that the word ‘Halwa’ written on the girl's shirt was not a holy word but rather means ‘sweet’ in English, having no connection with Quranic verses.

While recording her statement to the media, seated with the clerics, the girl apologised for wearing an Arabic calligraphy shirt, saying that she belongs to a religious family and could not even consider disrespecting Islam.