A year ago, Shah Hussain was sentenced to 7 years in prison for stabbing Khadija Siddiqi 23 times in broad daylight. After his sentence was reduced to five, yesterday Lahore High Court declared him a free man. This harrowing news has shaken Pakistan to its core, further disheartening any perseverance in the face of righteousness, only further proving that Pakistan’s justice system has a long road to redemption.
After the verdict was called, Khadija took to social media and tweeted an incredibly harrowing string of words we would never have hoped to read
Inna lilahi wa ina ilahi rajioon!
Justice butchered. Shah hussain acquitted!— khadija siddiqi (@khadeeeej751) June 4, 2018
The verdict that Shah now walks a free man (he’s the son of quite the influential lawyer) has angered Pakistani celebrities who simply cannot fathom such an outcome after such a terrifying battle for Khadija
Mahira Khan could not believe it and expressed her standing with the victim, declaring this will NOT be the end
This is unbelievable!!! This can not and will not be the end of this. We are all with you on this #justiceforkhadija https://t.co/9MQHKWYTMp
— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) June 4, 2018
She demanded unity in such dire circumstances, as the hashtag #JusticeForKhadija has taken Twitter by storm
And if it is the game of power, then so be it. Because there is nothing more powerful than when people come together united for a cause against those in power. We are with you @khadeeeej751 #justiceforkhadija
— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) June 4, 2018
Hamza Ali Abbasi too was livid, declaring that ‘no stone’ shall be ‘unturned to get her justice against this [Shah] barbarian’
WHAT THE HELL? I am hearing that attacker of #KhadijaSiddiqi who stabbed her 24 times has been acquitted by Lahore High Court???? If this is true, then we must all unite & be Khadija's voice & leave no stone unturned to get her justice against this barbarian! #WeAreWithKhadija pic.twitter.com/BimkvEK8Z5
— Hamza Ali Abbasi (@iamhamzaabbasi) June 4, 2018
He further went on to discuss how his never-ending bickering with Reham Khan should end (thankfully) and that this serves more attention
#JusticeForKhadija #WeAreWithKhadija We should be discussing this tragic injustice & other severe issues plaguing our country rather than Reham's nonsense. Insha Allah the media storm on this filth Reham calls her book will end in a few and we.ll able to talk abt real issues. https://t.co/uR6oabgEIi
— Hamza Ali Abbasi (@iamhamzaabbasi) June 4, 2018
Armeena Khan empathized with Khadija, utterly in shock and unable to comprehend what the victim has been going through in this tormenting case
Stabbed TWENTY THREE times, let’s put that into perspective – Imagine the pain from a paper cut or when you stub your toe. I can’t even imagine the pain. Khadija is a walking miracle. These things leave marks deeper than what is visible to the eye. #Justiceforkhadija
— Armeena Khan (@ArmeenaRK) June 4, 2018
Osman Khalid Butt too was distraught at the news…
A seven-year sentence for attempted murder – reduced to five years – reduced to nothing. This is how we value a woman seeking justice with proof (multiple eye-witnesses, DNA match) – the message is loud and clear. She is reduced to nothing. #JusticeForKhadija
— Osman Khalid Butt (@aClockworkObi) June 4, 2018
As was Meesha Shafi, who gave her strength by proclaiming her a survivor, fighter
She is an exemplary survivor and fighter! #WeAreWithKhadija https://t.co/lQheKvlaq4
— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) June 4, 2018
…And a warrior (righteously so)!
Warrior ❤️ https://t.co/btNBNXWhAA
— MEESHA SHAFI (@itsmeeshashafi) June 4, 2018
Asim Azhar had hope that truth will prevail and we will win the fight
#JusticeForKhadija – I believe in justice & it shall be served inshaAllah
— Asim Azhar (@AsimAzharr) June 4, 2018
Mooroo advocated how ‘power is capable of influencing decisions’ in all aspects of the judiciary, and despite being incredibly disheartened, vowed to not give up and ‘save Pakistan’
When power is capable of influencing decisions of justice, legal systems have failed, corrupt police, judges and government destroy Pakistan and our rights. We must save Pakistan, this battle needs to be taken to the supreme Court Justice must be served! #JusticeForKhadija
— Mooroo (@Mooroo4) June 4, 2018
Zainab Abbas announced unity too with the victim, explaining an unfortunate yet blaring truth – that the ‘innocent are guilty of crimes they never committed’
The world we live in,where the innocent are guilty for crimes they never committed and murderers acquitted for the high & mighty always win,got to unite & raise our voices for #JusticeforKhadija
— zainab abbas (@ZAbbasOfficial) June 5, 2018
Ali Gul Pir correctly stated a comment directly aimed at Shah and his influential father, ‘daddy’ in a sarcastic tweet that seeped in aching precision
Will put you in jail for double sawari but stab someone 23 times and you can go home with daddy #PakistanLaw #JusticeForKhadija #WeareWithKhadija
— Ali Gul Pir (@Aligulpir) June 4, 2018
Comedian Jeremy McLellan was ashamed of Pakistan and urged everyone to continue to support Khadija and the lawyers she was fighting with
Shah Hussain, who was found guilty last year of brutally stabbing @khadeeeej751 23 times, has just been acquitted by the Lahore High Court. Shameful day for Pakistan. Please support her and her lawyer @HniaziISF as they continue this fight.#WeareWithKhadija #JusticeForKhadija pic.twitter.com/4ubzCgz3Py
— Jeremy McLellan (@JeremyMcLellan) June 4, 2018
Mawra too warned that ‘we shall not let the culprit of such a heinous crime get away with it’
I want to remind Justice Ahmed Naeem that this is not 2005 & we will not let the culprit of such a heinous crime get away with it. We demand justice for khadija & many more who suffer & the perpetrators are acquitted !!! #KhadijaSiddiqiCase #westandwithKhadija
— MAWRA HOCANE (@MawraHocane) June 4, 2018
We are all here with Khadija
#WeAreWithKhadija #Justiceforkhadija
— Feroze Khan (@ferozekhaan) June 4, 2018
May justice prevail.