Actor and singer Mohsin Abbas Haider, most popular for his roles in Na Maloom Afraad and his performance of Urri Jaa at Coke Studio, has recently been accused of domestic violence allegations by his wife Fatema Sohail. The couple got married privately in 2015 and stayed away from the spotlight for the longest while, up until Fatema courageously took to social media to share what she had unfortunately been made to experience in the last few years.
Fatema received an overwhelming response to her post and there are a large number of people that jumped in to offer her their support and condolences.
Her post was shared by many celebrities, and many of them took to their own platforms to share their support for her and express their disappointment in what she had to go through.
Mahira Khan took to Twitter to express her feelings of disgust, stating that nobody should have the right to physically attack anyone.
Sick to my stomach. What gives anybody the right to raise their hand on anyone? Nothing. No excuse.
For eons now we have normalised abuse (of all kinds) and for the sake of our children this needs to stop.— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) July 21, 2019
She warned her followers that abuse has been normalized for eons now and that it needs to stop for the succeeding generations.
Osman Khalid Butt expressed his rage by stating that there is ‘a special place in hell’ reserved for people like his Baaji co-star.
I've been staring at this screen, grappling with the images I saw, trying to form a coherent sentence.
…
There is a special place in hell reserved for anyone who would lay so much as a finger on a woman.
You cannot justify abuse.
It is indefensible.
I am sick to my stomach.— Osman Khalid Butt (@aClockworkObi) July 21, 2019
Actor and Filmmaker Usman Mukhtar also extended his support to Fatema.
I’m just disgusted by the news!!#MohsinAbbasHaider pic.twitter.com/sB6KGGTXbS
— Usman Mukhtar (@MukhtarHoonMein) July 20, 2019
Haroon Shahid shared a childhood incident about a neighbor whose husband put her through similar experiences.
He compared Mohsin Abbas Haider to the abuser who he called a ‘wuss’ and calling him out on his shameful behavior towards his wife.
Growing up I remember, once my father got really upset when he saw my mother crying. Upon inquiring, he found out that one of our neighbor used to beat his wife. He went up to his house the same day and put him in his place. The guy was a wuss. #MohsinAbbasHaider shame on you!
— Haroon Shahid (@HaroonsMusic) July 21, 2019
Hania Amir and Asim Azhar also both tweeted about how they felt about the situation.
While Hania shared Fatema’s post, pictures of her bruises and a photo of her police report, Asim decided to directly address the people who even remotely implied that Fatema’s experiences should be invalidated until Mohsin spoke out in response.
Hania expressed her frustration in a statement about how it is important to be a good person with high morals in order to make your hard work count for something, stating that none of it pays off if you’re a piece of s***.
You know all the fame you get, all the hard work you put into your work, that body you keep working on, those sleepless nights of shooting and working hard don’t pay off when you’re a piece of shit! #TimesUp pic.twitter.com/phRxQpPnYg
— Hania Aamir (@realhaniahehe) July 20, 2019
In response to a user’s remark about how we should be waiting for Mohsin Abbas Haider’s response, Asim had quite some thoughts to share.
He expressed his disappointment in how people were taking her statement lightly, stating that by doing so you are automatically claiming that the abuse she witnessed was justified. Asim said that it was incredibly disappointing to see people awaiting the ‘other side of the story’ despite having been given so much evidence.
Nahi meri jaan. Iss walay scene mai tou aisa sochna bhi mat. By saying ‘wait for his response’ you’re automatically saying that him beating his wife might be justified. Sab dekhne kay baad bhi agar hum wait kar rahe hain kay shayad sahi haath uthaya ho tou laanat hai humnay. https://t.co/zR5jCZ0AE5
— Asim Azhar (@AsimAzharr) July 21, 2019
Asim Azhar continued on to say that he was shocked to see that people were still wanted to hear the ‘other side of the story’ or even think that anything at all could justify physical abuse.
I am shocked to see that instead of supporting the suppressed, so many of us are waiting & wanting to hear ‘the other side of the story’ – how can ANYTHING possibly justify physical abuse?! Unbelievable.
— Asim Azhar (@AsimAzharr) July 21, 2019
In addition, some celebrities also claimed to have witnessed this abuse in person, speaking to how they saw him hurt her both physically and emotionally.
Mirza Gohar shared a story about how he saw a mutual friend take Fatema to the hospital after one of these incidents of abuse, and got to learn about how she was treated. He stated that Fatema is like a sister to him and that he chose to remain silent because he knew that she was doing whatever she could to save the health of her baby.
The injustice that took place with #FatimaSohail, I was a second hand witness to it in 2018 when my friend took #Fatima to the hospital after she had been beaten up by #MohsinAbbasHaider Through her I got to know the whole Story. Fatima is like a sister to me (1/3)
— Mirza Gohar Rasheed (@GoharRsd) July 21, 2019
SHE, wanted to save her marriage and ensure the health of her baby so we respected that and kept quite but now since she is out with the truth her self (more power to you #fatima) (2/3) #justiceforfatima
— Mirza Gohar Rasheed (@GoharRsd) July 21, 2019
I wanted to say that men like these are a threat to the society I don’t see him just as a spineless, pathetic sick human being , I see him as a danger. She needs justice and he needs HELP. #justiceforfatima (3/3)
— Mirza Gohar Rasheed (@GoharRsd) July 21, 2019
Humaima Malik’s sister Dua Malik also took to social media in a now-deleted Instagram post sharing how she was a witness to multiple incidents and has urged Fatema to speak up for the past three years.
Updates:
Humaima Malik has taken to twitter to issue a statement, claiming herself to be a witness
I’m a witness ! @DuaMalikk use to call me and tell me how painful it was for her to listen to Fatima sohail and her suffering from pain it’s been 3 years … I wish Fatima did this before what she did now
— HUMAIMA MALICK (@HumaimaMalick) July 21, 2019
Beating your wife everyday even when she had your baby in her stomach, we have seen the pictures and seen her pain, now coming out in public and saying she is lying shame on you mohsin !
— HUMAIMA MALICK (@HumaimaMalick) July 21, 2019
Hamza Ali Abbasi has also corroborated Fatema’s story stating that Gohar Rasheed took him into confidence.
#MohsinAbbasHaidar Have never met her but everything Fatima Sohail/Gohar Rasheed said is true. He told me abt it as Fatima's frnds including him were trying to help her as she went to the hospital after being beaten up by Mohsin while she was pregnant with Mohsin's child. (1/3) pic.twitter.com/qkrn8N7tOX
— Hamza Ali Abbasi (@iamhamzaabbasi) July 21, 2019
#MohsinAbbasHaidar Having been a witness to all this, Fatima Sahiba speaks the truth. Disappointed to see Mr Mohsin's response. At tht time she was pregnant, traumatised, wantd to save her marriage, stayed silent. I am glad Allah finally gave Fatima strength to speak up. (3/3)
— Hamza Ali Abbasi (@iamhamzaabbasi) July 21, 2019
Meesha Shafi predicted some series of events that could follow to slander the victim, tweeting #BelieveHER
More power to Fatima! The only people who hurt the movement are the ones who attack and slander and victim blame! Nishaan dikhao warna hum nahin mantay.
Sick! #BelieveHER
I’m glad more victims are using their voice to speak up! https://t.co/OtbPbcnYzn
— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) July 21, 2019
Armeena Khan shared a very powerful statement, shifting the onus on the audience.
“How many women do you know in your own family/friends who have been abused?”, she asks.
Here’s an honest question and you must answer truthfully to YOURSELF, not to anyone but you: How many women do you know in your own family/friends (extended and close) who have been abused (physically/Verbally) and you ignore it. Have your answer?#domesticviolence #societalissue
— Armeena Khan (@ArmeenaRK) July 21, 2019
She also called for the system to be changed to one that holds these people accountable and punishes them accordingly
Change the system/culture that enables abuse and everything else will fall into line. Going after individuals is counterproductive because today it’s this particular actor; tomorrow it’ll be somebody else – Guaranteed. #changethesystem #domesticviolence
— Armeena Khan (@ArmeenaRK) July 21, 2019
Adnan Malik shared insightful tweets on the matter, quoting gender politics and justice system
The last few weeks have been a shit show when it comes to Pakistani men in the media. But I’m glad it’s all coming out, that women are speaking up without shame or fear of retribution. That there is a supportive community of both women and men who stand by them.
— adnanmalik (@adnanmalik) July 21, 2019
Iqra Aziz shared a bold statement regarding the whole episode
Body building might make you a strong man but raising your hand against a woman disqualifies you from being a MAN.
We do not need to hear what was on your mind neither your side of the story.#TIMESUP— Iqra Aziz (@IqraAzizz) July 21, 2019
Sajal Aly took to instagram to express her thoughts and congratulate Fatema for finally speaking up
Yumna Zaidi used some very harsh words to express her disdain, stating that such a behavior is completely unacceptable
Nothing matters if you behavior with your own family is ugly, kisi ki pholon jaosi beti ko apny nikah mein la kr us k sath badtreen salook karna, 1% b maufi nahi ‼️
— yumna zaidi (@yumnazaidi3) July 21, 2019
Ushna Shah confessed that despite her personal relationship with Mohsin Abbas, she extends full support to his wife
Co-star Bilal Ashraf tweeted that abuse of any kind should not be taken lightly
Domestic abuse ( or abuse of any kind) should not be taken lightly!! There is a reason why women find it hard to come out and speak about this. For every man that commits this hideous crime, there are many more that will always stand against it.
— Bilal Ashraf (@IamBilalAshraf) July 21, 2019
Pakistan’s sweetheart Aiman Khan urged women to come forward and not feel alone while waging this battle
Ayesha Omar also shared her thoughts on her colleague’s exposé
Mawra Hocane tweeted #timesup
The oppressed will no longer remain quiet. ThankGod #TimesUp .
I hope this is made into an example & not forgotten.
NO side of story can explain domestic violence. Serious action must be taken by concerned channels & production houses. Abuser must be shamed out Loud.#MohsinAbbas— MAWRA HOCANE (@MawraHocane) July 21, 2019
Mehwish Hayat urged for the perpetrator to feel the full wrath of law and protecting the victims
What #MohsinAbbasHaider has done is despicable. Domestic abuse is a crime and perpetrators should face the full wrath of the law. We can’t tolerate this in our society. BUT we are also to blame for turning a blind eye for so long even though we see it happening … 1/2
— Mehwish Hayat TI (@MehwishHayat) July 21, 2019
We need to be doing all we can to protect the victims of this hidden menace. Abuse is one thing but his response had me in shivers … proves that he’s totally unstable. I pray that he gets the help he needs. 2/2#FatimaSohail #MohsinAbbasHaider #ZulmBandKaro
— Mehwish Hayat TI (@MehwishHayat) July 21, 2019
Feroze Khan called men like Mohsin Abbas “a threat to society”
A man who raises his hand on a woman is not man enough and such men are a threat to the society.
— Feroze Khan (@ferozekhaan) July 21, 2019
Hareem Farooq called all men who have ever abused a woman ‘cowardly’ and ‘inhumane’
#MohsinAbbassHaider you and all the others like you are cowards, inhuman and a disgrace to your gender! @sohailfatema more power to you for having the courage to speak up against violence! We’re with you! #TimesUp https://t.co/9RzLaUjnIK
— Hareem Farooq (@FarooqHareem) July 21, 2019
Ahsan Khan posted a strongly-worded status update on his Facebook account
Mansha Pasha asked for men to “do better”
Dear men,
Before you even think abt hitting your women, JUST DONT.
There is no excuse, no validation, nothing u can offer that in ANY way makes this okay.
We are stronger than we look & we will fight back.
Silence is not, was not & never will be an option.— manshapasha (@manshapasha) July 21, 2019
Ali Kazmi urged all women who have faced similar situations to speak up
ABUSE of any kind is unacceptable. Open your minds, open your eyes, open your hearts, open your mouths, it’s time to speak up!! #timesup #sayNOtoabuse #domestic #sexual #child #verbal #any #callitout #newlaws… https://t.co/7PrLk48azW
— Ali Kazmi (@TheAliKazmi) July 21, 2019
People are glad that celebrities are openly condemning Mohsin Abbas Haider’s behavior, but we still have a long way to go in terms of entirely abolishing such stories and building a society where people stop justifying such acts. Mohsin Abbas is yet to give a statement about this. Please share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Actor And Singer Mohsin Abbas Haider’s Wife Just Spoke Up About Allegations Of Domestic Violence
Source: Instagram/ @mahirahkhan, @aclockworkobi, @mohsinabbashaider