The recent incident where 7 year old Zainab was violated and brutally murdered is still fresh in our minds and has not only made way for other similar stories to emerge but has opened up positive discourse regarding child sexual abuse and harassment throughout the nation. No longer do the citizens of this state wish to sit by idly and accept abuse as the norm, since the lives and futures of our children are at stake.
This is probably why there has been such an uproar at the recent emergence of footage from Sahir Lodhi’s show ‘Ap ka Sahir’ which has not only enraged viewers but they have also called for an immediate ban on both the show and its host.
Footage from a dance competition on the show has shown girls as little as 8 years old dancing in front of a live audience;
https://www.facebook.com/medialeakspk/videos/445079925908749/
I think its safe to say that people’s reactions and concerns are justified.
Twitter users have condemned the content of the footage and have asked for serious action to be taken against Sahir and the parents of the children;
https://twitter.com/Ashikhan251/status/952406516698636289
Many have put the blame entirely on Sahir Lodhi and have even abused him;
With some placing the blame on Bollywood for its negative influence on our entertainment industry and have sought to report it to PEMRA;
And quite a few linking the show to the prevalence of sexual harassment and abuse in the country;
No matter whether any action is taken against Sahir Lodhi or the producers of his show, the damage has been done with Pakistanis no longer staying silent regarding such pervasive exploitation of young girls and children on national television.
