Imam-ul-Haq’s alleged infidelity has divided the internet over the #MeToo movement.
Last night, several women, some of who chose to remain anonymous came out with allegations against Pakistani cricketer Imam-ul-Haq. The women claimed that Imam had been cheating on them and was allegedly dating 7 to 8 women at the same time.
*EXPOSED*
Imam Ul Haq Dating 7-8 Girls at a time 😂Multiple girls come forward to allege Pakistan opening batsman Imam ul Haq for cheating on them at same time. Here’re the screenshots which they have shared by themselves to prove their point. pic.twitter.com/KJHPBwXGkn
— Muzzi (@MuzziSayss) July 25, 2019
The issue being brought to light was Imam-ul-Haq’s alleged infidelity. According to the women who came forward, they felt they had been lied to and manipulated by Imam-ul-Haq. The women were allegedly under the impression that they were in a monogamous relationship with Imam but that was not the case.
One of the women who came forward gave the following statement about the issue.
https://twitter.com/FarhaanahE/status/1154036644753711107?s=20
But there were a lot of people who did not agree with the way Imam-ul-Haq had been exposed on Twitter. Most people took issue with the fact that a cheating partner was being categorized in the #MeToo movement which was reserved for those who harass and commit crimes punishable by law.
https://twitter.com/KazimJamaLi5/status/1154310185978138629?s=20
You guys realize that there’s a difference between cheating and sexual harassment right?
— maryam (@maryamful) July 24, 2019
Can someone please explain what exactly is Imam Ul Haq's crime in this entire controversy? #ImamUlHaqExposed
— Nayab Jan (@NayabGJan) July 25, 2019
But there were others who thought it did come under the #MeToo movement in our cultural context and even if it didn’t, the issue at hand and the women’s experiences should not be dismissed entirely because of a misused hashtag since.
I disagree. #MeToo needs to expand to include men who use their social power to rope girls in and manipulate them for sex, particularly if they promise marriage to lure them initially. The context here is extremely important to understand… https://t.co/7t84aD20vF
— Sabahat Zakariya (@sabizak) July 24, 2019
Regardless of how you classify Imam's behavior, lying for sex and intimacy in a society like ours is disgraceful and dangerous. It carries huge potential punishment going up to death, and tremendous mental strain. It's not OK to lie to and exploit people.
— Ahmer Naqvi (@karachikhatmal) July 24, 2019
So many people defending his actions by saying it was consensual. A consent obtained by lie and manipulation is no consent. Imagine making fake marriage promises because you can't keep it your pants. Disgusting!
— Brashna Kasi (@Brashnaa) July 24, 2019
But the issue regarding consent was heavily debated by everyone.
https://twitter.com/hamadqr/status/1154102137930047488?s=20
Consent in those chats is crystal clear you guys can't go blind like that and just show your support because some girls are coming forward with it that's legit stupid. The women can be seen enjoying the whole thing.#MeToo
#Imamulhaq— Razi (@KaleechBaig) July 25, 2019
But then there were those who pointed out that the women’s consent was under false pretenses as Imam had been lying to them. Thus it did not qualify as consent.
Let’s stop talking about how the law defines consent and start talking about what constitutes as complete, enthusiastic, and informed consent.
— amal (Taylor’s Version) (@pakistanned) July 25, 2019
what do you call consent obtained by actively lying and manipulating? 🤔
— Faizan 🇵🇸 (@thoraoffbeat) July 24, 2019
Been going thru a lot of Imam ul Haq related tweets. It may or may not be a case of me too. Idk. But it certainly isn’t as consensual as some think. Lying to someone to get them into your bed, when they otherwise wouldn’t, sounds to me like consent thats been engineered.
— A L E X (@half1volley) July 25, 2019
This entire incident has started a messy debate on what should be included in the #MeToo movement and what shouldn’t be.
https://twitter.com/kalashankauf101/status/1154075657149865986?s=20
A man dating multiple women with their consent is a garden variety douchebag. Condemn and expose it all you want but it isn't me too. Don't trivialize actual criminal activities of sexual aggression & harassment by associating non criminal trash behavior with it.
— Tazeen 🍉 (@tazeen) July 24, 2019
disrespectful as hell to equate emotional manipulation that made you feel uncomfortable with victims of assault and abuse who have had to face lifelong mental and physical consequences. Infidelity is a moral problem. It is NOT harassment.
— z (@bus_kerdou) July 24, 2019
Imam-ul-Haq or his representatives have yet to comment on the allegations made by several women. What do you think of Imam-ul-Haq being exposed? Let us know in the comments below.
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Cover Image Source: Business Recorder
