The Capital City Police Officer or CCPO Lahore Umar Sheikh has apologized for his victim blaming comment in the motorway gang rape case that shook the nation and sparked outrage and protests across the country.
In his apology, CCPO Lahore said, “I neither had any ill-intention nor did I imply anything wrong,” the top-cop of Lahore further stated, “I apologize if my statement has hurt or offended anyone,”
Publicly apologizing to the victim and her family, the officer said, “I apologize to my sister who was subjected to the gang-rape, as well as my sisters, brothers, and all strata of the society.”
Read more: Lahore motorway gang rape suspect arrested, confesses to crime.
The apology came after Chief Justice Muhammad Qasim Khan of the Lahore High Court (LHC) took strong exception to his remarks on the Lahore motorway gang rape incident.
The Lahore High Court (LHC) during the hearing of a petition to initiate a judicial inquiry into the incident said that the entire cabinet should apologize for the victim blaming comments made by CCPO lahore.
Strict action to be taken
The Lahore High Court (LHC) further lambasted the victim blaming statements saying, “A lot of ministers issued distasteful statements,” the court further said whether this was, “an investigation or a drama”.
Furthermore, Justice Qasim Khan asked about the investigation into the CCPO’s comments and said, “There should have been strict action to reassure this nation’s daughters,”
Defending victim-blaming remarks of CCPO
While many opposed the comment, Planning Minister Asad Umar and Adviser to the Prime Minister on Accountability and Interior, Shahzad Akbar both defended the officer.
Akbar told media, “I have spoken to him about it, he will tell you himself what he meant by it,” while Asad Umar said that the CCPO Lahore did not say “anything illegal”.
Controversy regarding victim-blaming comments
The victim blaming comments made by CCPO Lahore received a lot of hate and anger from the masses who took to social media demanding the removal of the officer from his post.
His comments involved putting blame on the victim for having taken her choice of route and question what she was doing out at night traveling with kids in the first place.
Read more: People criticize CCPO Lahore for blaming motorway rape victim.
No way the victim can be blamed: IG Punjab
On the other hand, the Inspector General of Police for Punjab, Inam Ghani, refused to defend the CCPO Lahore over the victim blaming remarks stating that, “no way the victim can be blamed for the horrific event”.
However, not everyone shared the same views regarding the matter with many actually standing by the CCPO for this remarks regarding the Lahore motorway gang rape case.
Read more: Lahore motorway gang rape case suspect surrenders to police.
