Motorway rape victim & CCPO Lahore

First, this unfortunate incident, which should not have taken place, happened on motorway and through CCPO Lahore Aamer Sheikh's comments, it dawned upon us that Motorway is not as safe and well guarded as we believed it to be (but surprisingly, GT road is).

Then why do we waste so much money and fuel to go for longer routes on motorway? Till today, we thought motorway was safer and better. Without fear we traveled on it, any hour of the day or night. Only because we thought, we were protected. I am sure, the unfortunate victim had the same in mind. I wonder if women in Pakistan cannot travel on motorway alone, where else they can do?

It also makes us wonder, what if this accident had occurred on GT road instead? Then the same people would have pointed out, why the unfortunate lady did not take motorway route, as it was safer.

When doctor sees patients in pain, he gives them treatment without asking, why they invited it upon themselves. Whereas police men like Aamir Sheikh shame the victims. They are the ones who suggest parents of kidnapped girls that their daughters must have eloped with someone. They are the kind, who lock the victims behind bars when they visit police station to register their complaints against powerful rapists and influential oppressors, inform their opponents against them.

Aamir Sheikh represents the mindset which protects the criminals. Which take sides of men, because they are men and believe, women are weaker and dim witted. They would suggest others to protect their sisters and daughters, but would not perform their duty of protecting people of their country, which actually is the job of police.

We strongly condemn, Aamer Sheikh's derogatory, demeaning remarks about motorway rape victim. Our women can never be safe till we have such patriarchs in the guise of our protectors, who blame the victims.

Furthermore, he goes on to defend his words by revealing secret information about the victim on national TV that she was from Paris, therefore did not understand the odds of driving alone.

It is an insult for all female drivers. Does he even know, how many of them are on roads now? Is he portraying Pakistani women so vulnerable and men as beasts?

We want a society, where our daughters can travel like in the times of Hazrat Omer, when women could travel alone, city to city, loaded with jewelry, without eyes being raised on them. Those who quote riyasat-e-Madinah in everything, need to be reminded. Such were the examples of those civilized societies, ours is turning into a jungle full of predators.

Security of an individual, be it a woman or man, is the responsibility of the state and its police. Shaming and blaming the victims is intolerable. Today, it was her, tomorrow, it can be any of us. We demand immediate dismissal of this ruthless, selfish, police officer from the force. Nothing less.

Where rapists and killers need to be punished and executed publicly, people who like him, who sponsor them need to be rooted out too . Begin with throwing him out and show, people like him are actually the shame.