Meesha Shafi feels ignorant celebs like Saba Qamar protect 'bro codes'

The killing of Noor Mukaddam has been leading headlines since last week. The brutal murder and beheading of the 27-year-old by Zahir Jaffer have shaken Pakistanis to the core, propelling protests and public outrage against gender violence in the country.

Just in the past one week, at least four more cases of rape and murder have surfaced, with many questioning the deafening silence of the authorities on the matter. Taking to social media, many celebrities have condemned the heinous acts taking place against women. The likes of Osman Khalid Butt, Ushna Shah, Mahira Khan, Faysal Quraishi and many others have expressed support for the victims, demanding action against the culprits.

But while a lot of artists are hoping justice will prevail, Saba Qamar made a point about breaking so-called 'bro codes' which help enable predatory behaviour. The Cheekh star called out everyone who had decided to shelter a harasser and an abuser.

"Someone said today that all of us women are just one man away from being the next hashtag and it sent shivers down my spine," Qamar wrote on Instagram.

"If you are a man and you've ever cared even once for any woman in your life, please call out men in your circles with predatory behaviour. Please break your bro codes. If you can't do that then stop pretending to be an ally because you're the only enabler then," she concluded.

However, singer Meesha Shafi called out the Baaghi star on her two cents about protecting the said bro codes. 

"This is what epic hypocrisy looks like, ladies and gentlemen," the Aaya Lariye singer shared on Instagram.

She went on to elaborate her stance on Saba's 'selective activism' and penned, "A lot of you are asking for context out of genuine curiosity and need to understand. Partying with, supporting, giving/sharing space, validating, endorsing and doing frivolous Instagram lives with known sexual harassers and then putting out holier than thou statements about calling out predators is literal hypocrisy."

Shafi continued, "You might have missed that this happened or forgotten but the victims and their traumas can't miss it or forget even if they want to. They can't miss it because they feel it in their hearts. In their guts. In their mental health. In their nausea. In their daily lives."

"You don't get to say this without first holding yourself accountable for your own enabling actions and words defending and supporting predators after survivors have shared their experiences against all odds. No, just no," concluded the Coke Studio singer. 

Earlier, Shafi had shared two screenshots where she called out an 'old friend' for her dual stance. "Both by the same person. Exhibit A on the left, a message I received from them the day I spoke up. Exhibit B on the right, a post by them on Zahir Jaffer," she tweeted. "This is how society protects their own. This is how red flags become blood-stained floors."

Without naming names, she added, "My once upon a time friend, you are nurturing a monster too. This is what being complicit in criminal behaviour and enabling and protecting predators looks like. Protecting a friend and calling out a stranger is what got us here. Stop with your performative activism."

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