'They tore my clothes': Woman TikTok star assaulted by hundreds in Lahore on Pakistan’s Independence Day   

In whatbrings to light the rising violence against women in Pakistan,a case has been registered bypolice inLahore on Tuesday against hundreds of unidentified persons for assaulting and stealing from a womanand her companions at the city's Greater Iqbal Park on August 14, the Independence Day.

The incident also raises several questions overwomen’s freedom and safety in Pakistan.The woman has been identified as aTikToker.Netizens have also reacted with rage to avideo of the incident, whichwasbeing circulatedon social media.

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Thefirst information report (FIR) has been registered at the Lorry Adda police station, a Dawn report said.In theFIR,the complainant shared thatshe and hersix companionswere attacked by around 300 to 400 people whilefilming a video near Minar-e-Pakistan on Independence Day.

The woman andher companions made several efforts to avert the crowd but to no avail."People were pushing and pulling me to the extent that they tore my clothes. Several people tried to help me but the crowd was too huge and they kept throwing me in the air," she said.

Her companions were also assaulted while her ring and earrings were "forcibly taken" along with a mobile phone of one of her companions, his identity card and Rs 15,000 that he hadwith him, the woman said.

Pakistani politicians and celebrities have slammed the incident.

Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Chairman, PPP tweeted: "The assault of a young women by a mob at #minarepakistan should shame every Pakistani. It speaks to a rot in our society. Those responsible must be brought to justice. The women of Pakistan feel insecure and it is all our responsibility to ensure safety and equal rights to all.

Aseefa B Zardari, daughter of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, tweeted, "We cannot continue to bury our heads in the sand. #Pakistan is not safe. Not for our women. Not for our children. Our children aren’t safe from rape even in death. This is the disgusting shameful reality."

Actor Mahira Khan also commented on the incident by saying, "I can’t believe what I just saw!!! I’ve said it before and I will say it again - make an example out of these men!"The actor also added, "Damn I’m sorry.. I keep forgetting - it was Her fault!! Poor 400 men.. they couldn’t help it."

The FIR has been registered under sections 354 A (assault or use of criminal force against woman and stripping her of her clothes), 382 (theft after preparation made for causing death, hurt or restraint in order to commit the theft), 147 (rioting) and 149 (unlawful assembly) of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Sajid Kiyani,DIG Operations,Lahore hasordered the superintendent of police to take "immediate legal action" against the suspects in the incident.