Pakistani police intervened to rescue a woman who was surrounded by a crowd after wearing a kurta featuring Arabic prints, mistaken by some as verses from the holy Quran, sparking accusations of blasphemy.
The incident occurred at a restaurant in Lahore, where the woman was confronted by the mob, demanding her to remove the kurta.
In a widely circulated video, a female police officer can be observed calming the situation before ultimately escorting the woman to safety.
Lahore ⚠️ another drama.
The woman was surrounded by people because there were names in Arabic on her wristbands, some are saying verses of Qur’an.
Actually, it’s not. That’s just simple Arabic words not regarding religion. حلوة means beautiful, random Arabic words.
The… pic.twitter.com/Q1rCsi3Gp2— Barister Sidra Qayyum (@Shr_9998) February 25, 2024
The Punjab Police shared a video on X platform, quoting IG Punjab, Dr. Usman Anwar, who praised ASP Syeda Shehrbano Naqvi, the courageous SDPO of Gulbarg Lahore, for risking her life to rescue a woman from a violent crowd. In recognition of her heroic act, the Punjab Police has recommended her for the prestigious Quaid-e-Azam Police Medal (QPM), the highest gallantry award for law enforcement in Pakistan.
“ASP Syeda Shehrbano Naqvi, the brave SDPO of Gulbarg Lahore, put her life in danger to rescue a woman from a violent crowd. For this heroic deed, the Punjab Police has recommended her name for the prestigious Quaid-e-Azam Police Medal (QPM), the highest gallantry award for law… pic.twitter.com/awHaIGVb9l
— Punjab Police Official (@OfficialDPRPP) February 25, 2024
Following the incident, the woman was brought to the police station, where she offered an apology for inadvertently causing offense to religious sentiments.
A Muslim cleric, who was present during the woman’s apology, mentioned that she had pledged not to wear the garment again.