ASP Sheharbano tells why woman apologized in Ichra mob case

ASP Gulberg Sheharbano Naqvi has explained the process of rescuing the terrorised woman from a charged mob in Ichra Bazaar, Lahore. She also addressed criticism posed against her in an interview with BBC Urdu.

Naqvi said that the call they received on the 15 police helpline was anonymous which stated that a woman was being heckled by a crowd wearing a shirt that had calligraphy on it and it has deeply hurt the sentiments of the people. She went on to detail the process of tackling the mob while making sure the woman remained safe. When asked why the woman was forced to apologize and how she is being criticised for being involved in the apology despite her display of courage, Sheharbano replied that she fulfilled her role as a first respondent to the situation where her duty was to ensure the safety of the person who is being accused as soon as possible. She stated that policy-related matters are above her pay scale, implying that the decision was not hers but from higher-ups of the department.

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ASP Sheharbano mentioned that it was “not orchestrated” the woman was transported to a safer location where the dialogue between the stakeholders ensued and the video was shot. The interviewer asked if she was heard saying that the woman was apologising in that video. To this, she replied that it was a result of widespread defamation that could have jeopardised the woman’s security in the longer run.

To read more: ASP Sheharbano to be awarded highest police award for exemplary courage