LAHORE: The female TikToker involved in the 2021 Minar-e-Pakistan assault case has pardoned all suspects involved in the incident, according to court documents released on Monday.
In August 2021, Lahore police booked hundreds of unidentified individuals for assaulting the TikToker and her companions at Greater Iqbal Park during the Independence Day celebrations.
The case drew national attention amidst a broader conversation about violence against women in Pakistan, particularly following the high-profile murders of Noor Mukadam and Quratul Ain in July 2021.
Videos of the assault circulated widely, sparking outrage across the country and condemnation from both celebrities and politicians.
The latest development came after the Additional Session Judge Gul Abbas issued an order during the hearing held on June 25. The victim, who appeared in court on June 3, submitted an affidavit stating her decision to forgive the suspects “for the sake of Allah and His Holy Prophet (PBUH),” expressing no objection to their acquittal. She affirmed that her statement was made voluntarily, without any coercion or threat.
Initially, Lorry Adda police registered an FIR against 400 unidentified persons for the assault, which included charges of molestation and stripping. The case saw over 100 arrests, although most were released shortly after when they could not be positively identified by the victim or her companions.
This case has seen various developments, including the arrest and subsequent bailing of suspects, some of whom were accused of conspiring in the assault and blackmail. The Lahore High Court (LHC) granted post-arrest bail to four suspects, including the main one, earlier this year.
