Pakistanis have been on a roller coaster ride since the past few weeks. One day, a female TikToker is publically assaulted by 400 men, the other day people claim that it was a publicity stunt.
Netizens were still stuck in the ongoing debate that Ayesha Akram was the victim or was she just cashing the opportunity; a new video surfaced on the internet of another woman along with a kid being harassed by men on a road and once again no one tried to stop or even say anything against the vile act.
Pakistanis, especially women, who were already on edge after the second video clip went viral then another naive decision was made. The Punjab government recently announced a ban on TikTokers and social media influencers in the public parks across the province. But the concern is will banning video makers lessen harassment around us?
Harassment cases in Lahore
The same day a TikToker Ayesha Akram was assaulted by a mob at Greater Iqbal Park near Minar-e-Pakistan, another young woman went through a similar ordeal in Lahore, a video of which has now surfaced on social media.
The incident apparently happened on the independence day, the same day TikToker Ayesha Akram was attacked by a mob of around 400 people gathered at the national monument to celebrate the country’s Independence Day.
TikTokers and YouTubers banned in public places
Recently, due to increasing cases of harassment in Lahore consecutively again TikTokers publically. The Punjab government decided to ban entry without family in all major parks.
Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) has banned those working on TikTok videos and social media channels. These influencers will not be allowed to make videos in the parks.
Ban on TikTok
The PTA is also considering banning TikTok once again following over complaints regarding indecent and immoral content. This is not the first time the Chinese-owned app would be banned in Pakistan as it was first banned in October 2020.
According to the PTA, the decision was taken over complaints regarding indecent and immoral content but after 10 days it reversed its decision. Since then, it’s been a roller coaster ride for the TikTok app.
Removal of TikTok videos
More than six million videos were removed from TikTok in Pakistan this year. Around 15 percent of the removed videos were ‘adult nudity and sexual activities’. Freedom of speech advocates criticized the creeping government censorship and control of Pakistan’s internet and media.
Is banning the only single solution?
There is a famous proverb in Pakistan in Roman Urdu: ‘Jaisi awam waisay hukmaran.’ This means leaders are chosen by the followers, if leader is corrupt so are the people who chose him. Well, this is rightly placed for TikTokers. There are numerous videos on the Chinese app, however, people choose to watch the videos they intend to watch.
The proposed ban sparked a debate on social media and many people appreciated the ban as according to them it will curb incidents like the Minar-e-Pakistan one. They also approved the ban as to them it will prevent the spread of ‘immoral content’.
However, here people should be reminded that the woman who was harassed in a Chingchi rikshaw was not a TikToker, she was with a small kid, her body was covered, she was wearing appropriate clothes yet she was harassed, filmed, and humiliated in front of many.
If Pakistan still focuses on banning the apps instead of rooting the actual problem, the country might end up becoming North Korea where no one has excess to the internet.
