KARACHI: Clandestine colorful activities being held in and outside PTI Chairman Imran Khan’s residence at Zaman Park Lahore and earlier incidents held by male-female gatherings during his 126 days long protest camp in Islamabad are being considered as last leg of ‘Arab Spring’ induced by western powers that ravaged many Arab and African Muslim countries during past two decades. Arab Spring countries from Egypt to Syria included the destruction of Libya and Iraq too.

In year 2013, 22-year-old Dutch journalist was gang-raped in Tahrir Square, Egypt and had to undergo surgery for severe injuries. Assault reminds us of an often-overlooked aspect of Egyptian Revolution. When Egyptians overthrew their ruler in 2011, one of first celebratory acts in Tahrir Square included gang beating and sexual assault of journalist Lara Logan, who, like Dutch journalist landed in hospital, according to observers.

When Egyptians overthrew democratic ruler they took advantage of public hatred to ally him with Western progressive ideals including gender equality. In came thugs who stripped and beat women in streets. Granted, some of these crimes against women were committed by military and police themselves. As Egyptian revolution entered another chapter and more women get stripped and sexually assaulted in streets. Rape has always been portrayed as another unfortunate byproduct of mob violence. One of hallmarks of Tahrir Square had always been rape and sexual harassment. Mobs of men set upon women, isolating, stripping and groping. No one was ever arrested or held accountable, elected officials shrug their shoulders and blame victims. Same has occurred and repeated in Zaman Park gatherings.

In Egypt, vigilante groups were organised to track incidents. Operation Anti-Sexual Harassment one of groups recorded 46 cases of sexual assaults and harassment against women on one Sunday night alone and added 17 more to its list that group said happened on Monday. Egyptian women were primary victims of sexual violence.

Published in The Daily National Courier, May, 08 2023

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