Chair in hand, woman stands up to mob

KARACHI:

CCTV and mobile phone videos have emerged showing a woman being harassed by a large crowd outside a music academy in Nazimabad No 3, prompting police to register a criminal case and launch an investigation into the incident.

The videos, which surfaced days after the July 9 incident, show the woman attempting to protect herself from an aggressive mob by holding a chair in front of her as dozens of people surround and confront her near a chai dhaba.

According to police, the woman, identified as Ishrat Malik, was stopped and harassed while returning home after attending classes at the music academy.

The incident allegedly began when residents stormed the academy, accusing it of hosting "immoral activities." The allegations have not been independently verified. An FIR has been registered on the complaint of Shakir Ali, who runs the academy.

In his complaint, Ali said he operates an arts academy where students receive training in singing and qawwali. He alleged that on July 9, a man identified as Azmat Shah, whom he claimed appeared to be under the influence of intoxicants, arrived at the academy with two companions and attempted to force his way inside.

According to the FIR, Ali refused them entry because of their condition, after which the suspects allegedly entered the premises by force. He claimed one of the men produced a firearm, while around 10 more individuals later joined them, vandalising the academy, assaulting staff and issuing threats that the institution would not be allowed to operate.