The Karachi police have rejected reports of a female employee being gang-raped at an industrial unit in Karachi’s Korangi area. The police stated that no such incident took place.
To clarify, Wednesday, Pakistan’s social media was in an uproar as a horrific report emerged claiming that a female employee at Artistic Milliners was gang-raped by her colleagues.
As per the reports that made the rounds on social media, the female employee was asked to work overtime by the HR Department. She was allegedly drugged and gang-raped by 20 men inside the office premises of Artistic Milliners.
Reports claim that the alleged victim was also tortured as the accused put cigarettes on her skin. While it remains unknown what became of the victim, there are some reports claiming that the victim passed away as a result of the torture.
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Due to the harrowing details of the case, social media is in a storm and netizens demanded an inquiry into the incident. Federal Minister Sherry Rehman also took note of the incident and demanded further details.
Pl inform me @QuatrinaHosain immediately when you get any details
— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) September 7, 2022
There were also claims that the company’s employees were being allegedly pressurized to remain silent on the matter and bury the news since the company catered to international clients.
https://twitter.com/SamraHashmii/status/1567208761982439428?s=20&t=X8JkcN3AQLMWFACGtViOHQ
Fake news
Since the incident had gone viral on social media, the police looked into the matter to verify it and stated that it is fake news.
“Police has checked and verified that no such incident took place,” Deputy Inspector General (DIG) East Muquddus Haider told the media.
“Police have conducted an inquiry into it. No victim has come forward while the factory management told the police that it was a drive to defame them,” he added.
#BREAKING: After probe no evidence of rape or any such incident found at #ArtisticMilliners premises. Police found a YouTube channel dhoom and Sagir Buledi allegedly behind false propaganda of #ArtisticMillinersRapeCase. pic.twitter.com/6ZJMU4OaDm
— Asad Ali Toor (@AsadAToor) September 7, 2022
Another officer, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Korangi Faisal Bashir, called the reports “fake news”, adding that there were “ulterior motives” behind them.
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He said that the factory management had approached the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) cybercrime wing against these reports.
The Khi Viral Rape Story is Fake News! Spoke to Senior Crime Reporters of almost all major channels, Police etc & no one confirmed it. Those who started the rumor have caused so much pain to so many ppl. Rape is No Joke. Plz plz be a little considerate while sharing such news
— Rabia Anum Obaid (@RabiaAnumm) September 7, 2022