• Social media uproar over false blasphemy accusation due to woman’s attire with calligraphy.
• Pakistani brand Manto intervenes, urging customers to prioritize safety over wearing their outfits if feeling unsafe.
• Police officer, ASP Syeda Shehrbano Naqvi, was praised for rescuing the woman and proposed a prestigious police medal, highlighting the importance of law enforcement in preventing mob justice.

An uproar has taken over social media after a woman was falsely accused of blasphemy after she wore an outfit with calligraphy.

Following this chaos, Pakistani brand Manto realised that their customers could be next. The brand wrote a message to their customers telling them to set their clothes aside if they feel unsafe.

They wrote:

We feel extremely sad seeing all that has happened, which is why we wanted to address this heart-wrenching issue. Please know that your safety as an individual must always be a priority. And, at any given moment, if you ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe wearing your Manto outfit then please just set them aside. We would never, under any circumstances, want you to put your safety at risk.

What Happened?

Members of a party mistakenly believed the words to be Quranic verses, leading them to surround her with insults and threats. However, the script on her attire, originating from the Saudi brand Shalik Riyadh, conveyed non-religious phrases like ‘beautiful’ and ‘sweet’. Yet, in the heat of the moment, such nuances were lost on the enraged crowd.

In a scene reminiscent of a movie, ASP Syeda Shehrbano Naqvi, a police officer, took charge of rescuing the besieged woman. Her decisive actions, marked by determination and risk, earned her widespread praise. The Punjab Police later proposed her for the esteemed Quaid-e-Azam Police Medal, acknowledging her bravery and quick thinking in averting potential violence.

This intervention not only saved a life but also underscored the vital role law enforcement plays in shielding the vulnerable from mob justice. The woman, deeply apologetic and shaken, clarified she had no intention of offending religious sentiments, reaffirming her commitment as a Sunni Muslim.

ASP Syeda Shehrbano Naqvi Recommended for Quaid-e-Azam Bravery Award