Sadly, domestic violence is very common in Pakistan. So common, in fact, that no one interferes even if the violence takes place in public. It is written off as a private affair and even the police refuse to take any action against it.
Recently, a video started circulating on the internet of a father brutally beating his daughter. At first, there was no context to it. Then, it was reported that the incident had taken place in DG Khan, and the father was beating his daughter because she tried to stop him from carrying out illicit activities with his daughter-in-law. The ‘activities’ in question were unwanted, as per the daughter-in-law.
Watch the video below, for context.
TRIGGER WARNING: Violence
What is wrong with people of Pakistan, don’t know the exact circumstances of this incident but why would you treat a women like this, this is insane please retweet untill this guy is arrested!! @MJibranNasir @Xadeejournalist @MurtazaGeoNews @MaryamNSharif @SyedaShehlaRaza @ pic.twitter.com/Xch1nSYW8N
— Tanveer Khatana (@tanveer_khatana) May 26, 2018
However, in a surprising turn of events, this incident wasn’t written off.
People shared the video, the media covered the incident, and action was demanded.
In Sukkur a man beats up his mother & throws her in the garbage. In DG Khan a father beats up his daughter. While all men will condemn the attack on the mother many may question if the daughter did something to deserve it & failing to realise as Oppressors we dont need an excuse pic.twitter.com/p4ztRveDmM
— M. Jibran Nasir (@MJibranNasir) May 27, 2018
Lo and behold! Early this morning, the CM’s SRU Unit informed the world that the man had been arrested.
The culprit who abused a girl has been taken to court by female police officers. This is an example for those who think they can abuse women and get away with it. No more. #Punjab will never let that slide. #WomenProtectionBill pic.twitter.com/iWno6ZN63j
— Chief Minister's SRU (@smucmo) May 28, 2018
More than the news, however, was the picture accompanying it. It was a powerful picture of the right sort of empowerment. A man convicted of beating his daughter, being taken to court by four female police officers.
The arrest and the picture sent Twitter into an outpour of celebration.
The man whose video beating his daughter (some reported niece) in DG Khan went viral has been arrested and the Policewomen were tasked to bring him to court in handcuffs. A powerful and empowering message by @smucmo which should be circulated widely on media pic.twitter.com/YYeLJYT9Gh
— M. Jibran Nasir (@MJibranNasir) May 28, 2018
Video of this man went viral while beating shit out of her daughter, he is now being taken to police station by female police staff & is detained. What can be more powerful than this pic? Speaks a lot about the power of our online spaces. Keep eeclaim these spaces ❤️ @smucmo https://t.co/vkbQhGpbcC
— Nighat Dad (@nighatdad) May 28, 2018
Meesha Shafi was very pleased (and with good reason).
Well done! This made my day! And what a sight these policewomen are ?? https://t.co/DxvlXuqYgv
— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) May 28, 2018
The Punjab Government was praised.
Punjab Hakumat you beauty!❤ https://t.co/hDNtCsPc1w
— HBD King Misbah (@farrukhsohaibpk) May 28, 2018
Well done Punjab government https://t.co/MgBS6yE8bJ
— سعدیہ (@khwamkhwah) May 28, 2018
This is definitely a victory for women, all over Pakistan.
Power of Social Media, posted video of this Man beating his daughter got prompt response from @smucmo and here is the result of this, man taken away by female police officers the strongest message it could have ever been, weldone Guys!!! https://t.co/mFMmEISqtx
— Tanveer Khatana (@tanveer_khatana) May 28, 2018
This is a powerful image from #Pakistan. Man beats up daughter, video goes viral and the police use a female detail to take him to court. Well done @CMShehbaz and team, well done! ?? PZB! https://t.co/lYafYajxuG
— Saad Duraiz (@truck_wala) May 28, 2018
He beat up a women and he is being taken to court in handcuffs by women.
Strongest picture on the TL today. https://t.co/t1a8KoUhA8
— Ahsan Shahzad (@ahsannisar786) May 28, 2018
This!!!???? https://t.co/bkba6yhCqK
— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) May 28, 2018
I'm going to remember this time and tell these stories to my children and everyone I can as long as I am alive! 🙂 https://t.co/oszw2pejbN
— Shanzey Minhal Mustafa (@ShanzeyMustafa) May 28, 2018
This incident and the subsequent arrest shows us that change is slowly but surely taking place in Pakistan. It’s heartwarming to see that justice has been served, in the most beautiful of ways!
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
cover image source: @smucmo/Twitter