[Current Affairs] September 11,2020 Top Pakistan Current Affairs for FPSC Test Preparation

What’s going on? Two robbers allegedly raped a woman at gunpoint on the motorway yesterday. She was travelling from Lahore to Gujranwala with her children. The rape incident took place while she was waiting for help, since her car was having problems.

The details: According to police, the woman’s car stalled while she was crossing the toll plaza on the Lahore-Sialkot motorway. A relative in Gujranwala told her to call the police helpline, and was on his way to help. However, before the relative reached her, two armed men reportedly took her and her children to a nearby field at gunpoint and gang-raped her. As for the helpline, police claim she hadn’t called by the time the armed men arrived. The robbers also took her cash, jewellery and other valuables.

Looking ahead: Police arrested 12 suspects, and are trying to identify the culprits. PM Imran Khan said protecting women is a priority, and the govt’s responsibility. PM Khan also called for stronger laws that will protect women and children. Other political leaders condemned the incident and demanded justice for the rape survivor.

There’s more: The hashtag #RemoveCCPOLahore started trending on Twitter after Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) in Lahore, Muhammad Umar Sheikh, questioned the woman’s decision to:

• Leave Lahore’s Defence area at 12:30am for Gujranwala.
• Not check the petrol before leaving Lahore.
• Drive alone with children.
• Choose the wrong route. Sheikh thinks she should have taken the route from GT Road, which is a more populated area.

Now, people are accusing the CCPO of “victim-blaming” the rape survivor. In other words, the CCPO suggested that her own actions got her into trouble.

The bottom line: There is public outcry over how Pakistan is a dangerous country for women. Women are already hesitant to report sexual harassment or rape because of a prevalent “victim blaming” mentality. The CCPO of Lahore is reportedly a glaring example of how people, including police officers, rationalize rape in Pakistan.