Uzma Khan controversy and our moral responsibilities

After a video alleging actress Uzma Khan surfaced on the Internet on Tuesday in which it can be seen that she was being interrogated by unknown women for having an affair with one of their husbands, the actress Uzma Khan took to social media to share the painful experience of being harassed and threatened during the past few days.

Uzma Khan videos go viral

Video clips showing torture carried out on an actress and her sister allegedly by the daughters of a property tycoon in the city has sparked outrage and calls for justice without discrimination.

A large number of people jumped into a heated discussion after the video release on social media of footage in which a couple of women accompanied by men apparently in security guards’ uniforms are seen to be storming a house and confronting actress Uzma Khan and her sister.

The actress breaks silence

The actress, Uzma Khan, took to social media and posted her “official statement” regarding the issue. “Remember your gunmen pointed their guns towards two orphans and sexually harassed. We might be weak but now we have faith in Allah and people of Pakistan. I request you to share my statement and stand by me in my difficult times, she wrote on Twitter.”

Uzma accuses Malik Riaz’s daughters of attacking 

The actress had accused Malik Riaz’s two daughters, his niece and 15 other persons of forcibly barging into her house and attacking her over an alleged extramarital affair with a man Usman.

Malik Riaz reacts

Malik Riaz, while rejecting all the allegations said, “I categorically rebut this malicious propaganda associating me with a viral video. Usman is not my nephew. I’m appalled at such below the belt attempt to malign me for something I’m not involved in any capacity. I would also like to inform you that I’ll be filing defamation cases against anyone who tries to implicate me wrongfully for such disgraceful incidents.”

Police registered FIR

Police officials have registered the case against Malik Riaz’s daughters Pashmina Malik and Ambar Malik, niece Amna Usman Malik and 15 unidentified men for storming Uzma’s house, ransacking it and stealing valuables worth Rs5 million.

Now it is the responsibility of the law to investigate the incident impartially and provide justice without discrimination.

‘Arrest Amber Malik’ becomes Twitter’s top-trend

A Hashtag of ‘Arrest Amber Malik’, a family member of business tycoon Malik Riaz, has become the latest trend on social media platform Twitter. The social media users asked the authorities to take action against the accused and also demanded a transparent inquiry into the matter. 

Why has the media been quiet?

Media has a tremendous capacity of reaching out to a vast majority of people as well as government cutting across all barriers to communication. It has balanced coverage of human rights violations. In most countries, this kind of story would be splashed all over the headlines. But not in Pakistan.

The property magnate – and father of two of the women named – Malik Riaz swiftly threatened to file a defamation suit “against anyone who tries to implicate me wrongfully for such disgraceful incidents”. Barring one or two exceptions, the Pakistani media has remained quiet on the issue.

Uzma Khan’s film career

Uzma Khan had stepped into the world of acting with the film Waar released in 2013. Later, she starred next to Humayun Saeed in the super hit film Jawani Phir Nahin Aani, and Jawani Phir Nahin Aani 2. She has also acted in Teri Meri Love Story and Yalgar.

Responsible use of social media

Social media is a powerful tool for sharing one’s views, photos, etc. However, at the same time, social media has become a headache. As responsible citizens, we support constructive criticism that would lead to pitching solutions to problems so that we may look towards media and understand the alternative options for seeking solutions to national issues.