Motorway gang rape: CCPO Lahore apologizes for victim blaming

LAHORE: Lahore Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Umar Sheikh has apologized for his remarks that angered women and rights activists in the aftermath of motorway gang rape incident.

“I did not mean anything wrong or [to give a wrong] perception and if any misunderstanding was caused because of me, then I apologise from the depths of my heart to my sister who was abused and to all sections of society who were saddened or angered,” CPPO said during his appearance before the Lahore High court.

Speaking to TV channels and media, the CCPO said the rape victim should have been more careful and taken a safer route.

He said, “The affected woman departed from Defence Area of Lahore after midnight and took motorway route instead of GT Road, that too without checking her fuel.”

The remarks drew condemnations from women who took to the streets in various cities to demand his ouster.

While Shireen Mazari, Ali Haider Zaidi and some other other ministers condemned the CCPO’s remarks, there has been no response from Prime Minister IMran Khan about the incident which shocked the entire nation.

#CCPO #Lahore apologizes for his victim blaming. #motorwayincident pic.twitter.com/X91lp6Go7q

— Nadia Mirza (@nadia_a_mirza) September 14, 2020