Frieha Altaf is a big name in the Pakistani Fashion world. She is one of the people who helped the industry reach the heights that it’s reached today.
She’s usually pretty vocal on social media, quick to speak on issues and unafraid to speak her mind.
I was sexually abused by our cook at age 6. My parents took action but everyone remained silent as if it was my shame. At 34 I realised how it had impacted my life.the only shame is keeping SILENT #ChildAbuse #shame #NoMoreChildAbuse #MeToo #JusticeForZainab #HowToStopChildAbuse
— Frieha Altaf (@FriehaAltaf) January 14, 2018
She’s loud and unapologetic about the things she’s passionate about.
63% of sexual assault cases are never reported. 12%of sexual child abuse cases are reported only! Speaking out is an act of incredible bravery. So stop asking why the victims did not speak up immediately. @HNiaziii @etribune @itsmeeshashafi @NJLahori @Maheenkhanpk @Sahil_NGO
— Frieha Altaf (@FriehaAltaf) September 25, 2018
Recently, there has been an upsurge of street crime in Karachi.
@imohsinbaig @hasnain_here1 More than 18,000 mobile phones were stolen at gunpoint this year so far in the city of #Karachi Also street crime had jumped up recently in the city, Is Karachi safe to travel? 😢😢😢
— Harshal Pandya (@pandyaharshal1) October 1, 2018
This is alarming given that the city’s security situation was getting better. As these crimes began to pick up, more people began to come forward with stories.
Street crime in #Karachi soaring currently. Guess all the thugs that went into hiding have come out to play! Some bone chilling stories!
— Hadeel Obaid (@hadouken51) October 1, 2018
One such person was none other than Frieha Altaf, herself
Got held up @ gunpoint coming home frm fashion week last night with my daughter. 3 adolescent boys on a bike! Nothing worse than having a gun in your face with ur kid in the car. Khi needs a cleanup asap My real estate agent has been held up 11 times! #NayaPakistan @ImranKhanPTI
— Frieha Altaf (@FriehaAltaf) September 30, 2018
What's even more mindboggling is that we also had a theft in office the same day. Inspite of security cameras, an alarm system, chowkidaar, Laptop petrol card missing. An internal job being investigated.
— Frieha Altaf (@FriehaAltaf) October 2, 2018
After her tweet, Jerjees Seja, CEO ARY Network, also added his voice to this
This is what i am talking about… lets make noise and have this stopped. @ImranKhanPTI @ArifAlvi @fawadchaudhry @ImranIsmailPTI is this why karachi voted for you guys? Immediate action required … after tabdeeli we didnt expect karachi to go back into darkness https://t.co/92wOY2EIpz
— Jerjees Seja (JJ) (@Jerjees) September 30, 2018
Fahad Mustafa also tweeted out; according to him, the mere presence of more police makes him feel safer in Lahore
Its true im in lhr and there is a sense of security in the air tarffic wardens and police seems to be present on the streets where they should be i always feel like this is a different country all together people of karachi sindh needs the same @ArifAlvi @ImranKhanPTI 🙏 pic.twitter.com/3V8Ekk0Sub
— Fahad Mustafa (@fahadmustafa26) September 30, 2018
Shaniera Akram also responded to Frieha with possible solutions to this problem
Very sad to hear this @FriehaAltaf The only thing that will help us is an education system for all children, city planning to accommodate growing families and more job placement programs for the communities.This is what needs to be implemented to combat the crime within our city https://t.co/ilkHc7hxdh
— Shaniera Akram (@iamShaniera) October 2, 2018
There have been many people who have been relaying their own stories under Frieha’s tweet
It happened to me too three months back. I am still recovering mentally. My daughter is still afraid of motorcyclists. Loss of valuables don't matter. Loss of confidence does.
— Noman (@m_no_man) September 30, 2018
This has been happening for so long, I was mugged in 2011 at the expo Center bridge as there was Hum family festival going on, Imran Khan does not have a magic wand that he can say abra kadabra and fix Karachi!
— Ramlah Seraj (@patwarisexpsoed) September 30, 2018
We were visiting Khi/Pak last year and the same happened to us; my kids still tremble at the sight of someone coming close to our car! I’m sure it must have been traumatic .. Stay Stong!
— Babar Kalim (@babarkalim) October 2, 2018
But the general consensus is that these crimes have increased in the city.
The past few weeks have seen a marked increase in stories regarding mugging and even kidnappings
Terribly sorry to hear that. Muggings have come back with a vengeance. #Karachi
— Razi Ahmed (@razi_ahmed_) September 30, 2018
The robbery and street crime is again growing with pace in Karachi. Need concrete policy to tackle this shit of disease. Provincial government completely failed to deliver public demand. Its on federal government now to restore peace in economic hub of Pakistan.
— Bilawal Sarwar (@BilawalSarwar2) October 1, 2018
Many people in Karachi are hoping that this sudden surge in street crime isn’t indicative of harder times ahead for them. Here’s hoping that things do get better in the city and that everyone remains safe.