Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir on Wednesday lauded Lahore Gulberg Circle Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Syeda Shehrbano Naqvi for her “selfless devotion to duty and professionalism in diffusing a volatile situation”.
On Sunday afternoon, a crowd gathered outside a shop in Lahore’s bustling Ichra Bazaar following an allegation that a woman was wearing a shirt with Quranic verses printed on it, leading to accusations of blasphemy.
A video circulating on social media showed the frightened woman hiding in a shop. Recognizing the sensitivity of the situation, some police officials at the scene escalated the matter to their superiors.
Subsequently, a police team, led by ASP Shehrbano, intervened, safely escorting the woman into protective custody amidst heightened security measures. Later, a video emerged showing the woman apologizing alongside religious scholars.
On Monday, the Punjab police chief recommended ASP Naqvi for the Quaid-i-Azam Police Medal (QPM). In a statement today, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) announced that ASP Shehrbano had met with the COAS at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi.
The COAS commended ASP Shehrbano for her courageous actions in diffusing the tense situation at Ichra Bazaar. He acknowledged the significant contributions of Pakistani women across various domains and stressed the importance of societal respect for women, rooted in both religion and social values.
The COAS emphasized the importance of social harmony and urged for national consensus in addressing intolerance. He underscored the significance of adhering to the rule of law and discouraging vigilantism. Highlighting that arbitrary actions based on rumor undermine societal values, COAS Munir reiterated Islam’s message of compassion and generosity. He also praised the sacrifices made by law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety and security of Pakistani citizens.