Yesterday, Pakistani Twitter was set ablaze yet again by some unwarranted and distasteful tweets by the editor of Newsweek Pakistan, Fasih Ahmed.
The sexual abuse of children will always exist. You can never eliminate it. Sometimes it leads to great art. So there’s also that.
— Fasih Ahmed (@therealfasih) January 23, 2018
Fasih Ahmed further provoked Pakistani Twitter when he kept giving absurd answers to people who tried to make sense of what he was saying.
Child sexual abuse has always happened, is happening, and will always continue. Two days of outrage on Twitter and participating in a 10-person vigil may make you feel so noble but that’s all just about you, not those who’ve been victimized
— Fasih Ahmed (@therealfasih) January 23, 2018
And he also tweeted this.
My account has not been hacked. Relax
— Fasih Ahmed (@therealfasih) January 23, 2018
The series of tweets garnered many reactions. People were mostly mad at the fact that he was joking about something this serious. However, Pakistanis have now redirected that anger towards something more concrete. Everyone’s trying to boycott the Lahore Literary Festival because of Fasih Ahmed’s involvement.
As soon as someone pointed this out…
boycotting @lahorelitfest till this vile piece of shit is asked to leave the board by the festival organizers, otherwise they should also be censured for not speaking up against this elitist, self-entitled asshole. #FasihAhmed
— Zoya Rehman (@pind_wave) January 23, 2018
…people started tweeting about boycotting LLF.
I am amazed at your existence. Hope you get help in life #BoycottNewsweek #BoycottLLF
— meena gabeena (@gabeeno) January 23, 2018
YES. THIS. #FireFasih #BoycottLLF @lhrlitfest https://t.co/p4ythMMFDy
— #FireFasih ?️? (@merabichrayaar) January 23, 2018
Some people even highlighted how education can’t help shape your mindset.
A so-called literary figure thinks it is totally fine to joke about child sexual abuse. How can one make jokes about such a situation?
I’m sorry no exposure and no education can help you when you own a mindset that is full of shit. Disgusting!#BoycottLLF #FireFasih pic.twitter.com/5w7izrEdjg— Hiba Ikram (@HibaIkram1992) January 23, 2018
While others simply expressed their anger, questioning Newsweek Pakistan in the process.
Who is this *** working under your brand @Newsweek? #boycottllf https://t.co/Be1bFR4ZgT
— Eli Rivera (@elicitizen) January 23, 2018
A petition started circulating too.
The irony that the Lahore Literary Festival will have a panel about feminist literature was not lost on people, given Fasih Ahmed’s involvement.
"In a couple of weeks, the Lahore Literary Festival will announce their schedule with some kinda panel about feminist literature. #boycottLLF #LLF #Newsweekhttps://t.co/SlhCZRCcyX
— Mishele (@Mishele90) January 23, 2018
People remained disgusted by all that had transpired.
This is extremely disgusting! #boycottLLF https://t.co/OzhvTiHMcv
— Nwachukwu Egbunike (@feathersproject) January 23, 2018
Does this piece of diarrhetic shit know what’s happening to Hollywood A-Listers with sexual harassment allegations lately??#FireFasih #BoycottLLF https://t.co/zRpaBnC5JT
— Arsh (@HeyitsAKay) January 23, 2018
And some even asked for him to be fired.
#BoycottLLF for having someome on board who thinks himself so untouchable that he can joke about rape and children's sexual abuse, unapologetically. #FireFasih or you are complicit. pic.twitter.com/Ll7BVfliS6
— Elisa Marvena (@ElisaMarvena) January 23, 2018
Two things definitely need to stop existing now: Sexual Abuse and people like Fasih Ahmed…#BoycottLLF #FireFasih https://t.co/dPMXsUq2Ic
— Arsh (@HeyitsAKay) January 23, 2018
Basically, the people have spoken. Such comments are no longer being tolerated.
@therealfasih is a vile, repuslive carbuncle of a person who spews egregiously ignorant and disgusting views on his Twitter and he needs be held accountable for his words. #FireFasih #BoycottLLF
— Ibrahim Tanweer (@IbrahimTanweer) January 23, 2018
The fact is that people waited to see if his account had been hacked, which he addressed. They expected him to apologize or feel guilty – which he didn’t. With all of Pakistan still healing from the atrocity of Zainab’s murder, it’s clear that the conversation around sexual abuse has begun. And anyone who doesn’t contribute to it constructively is no longer being forgiven.
We also, initially (and admittedly, mistakenly) gave him the benefit of the doubt over his remarks but that has become clear with his subsequent messages that he made a clear choice and we can’t stand for that.
What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments.
Newsweek Pakistan Editor’s Disgusting “Joke” About Zainab’s Rape Is NOT Justifiable. At All
I Suffered Like Zainab. I Survived, But When Will All Of Us Get Our Justice?
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