Over the years, several harassment claims have surfaced against the current affairs director of PTV, the national television of Pakistan. Agha Masood Shorish made headlines due to harassment cases but because of his position, he was always able to get away with.
Tanzeela Mazhar, a PTV anchor, came out to the media with her complaint of harassment against the director back in January 2017
After being repeatedly harassed by the director, she decided to file a complaint against him. A special committee was formed by PTV to look into the matter. However, instead of being supportive of their employee – she was asked questions like, “If you were being harassed, why didn’t you leave the job?”
Earlier, instead of taking action about the accusations, the channel had banned Tanzeela and another female anchor for complaining about Shorish’s harassment.
She then took to twitter to expose the said person
In ko office ki auraton ko mazaq k nam per jism k kisi b hisay per hath lagana n gali dena is no harrassemnet,he can let his sis work thr https://t.co/cfoVLHP0Os
— Tanzeela Mazhar (@TenzilaMazhar) January 18, 2017
She also accused several high ups in the administration of trying to protect the director
We have evidences,been requesting all the influentilas to take action against him but few sacred cows are protecting him, will expose them
— Tanzeela Mazhar (@TenzilaMazhar) January 18, 2017
She even gave several interviews to bring the matter to the limelight, so that investigation into the matter is taken up by the relevant authorities
Imran Hassan, another PTV journalist, in response to these accusations made by Tanzeela, said that she should stop playing with PTV’s image for some petty personal gains
In response to this statement, Tanzeela then posted a WhatsApp image of a conversation between Agha Masood Shorish and Imran Hassan, proving how they referred to the women at work in extremely derogatory terms.
This is how women r being discussed on PTVwhatsapp group , hv a look@AK_Forty7 @kashanakmal @mak_asif @anaulhaq @abualeeha @faizanlakhani pic.twitter.com/FHnPmZtnac
— Tanzeela Mazhar (@TenzilaMazhar) January 18, 2017
In response, Tanzeela pledged to fight her case with whatever means possible and get the justice that she and several other women, who out of fear had remained silent, deserved
We will show real face of all those who r trying to save Masood Shorish,including few anchors of PTV.Level of vulgarity is utterly shocking
— Tanzeela Mazhar (@TenzilaMazhar) January 18, 2017
People who were following her story offered her support and wished that she and her colleagues got justice in the case
trust on urself and stand on your point no matter what others are saying. You will win Inshallah
— Imran Iqbal (@ImranIqbal41975) January 18, 2017
After months of continuous effort, she has finally won her case.
PTV recently decided to let go of their director in pursuance of directives of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and National Heritage.
All the dailies following this story, published this news to bring smiles on those faces waiting for justice to be served
A happy Tanzeela also took to Twitter to celebrate her victory and thank everyone for their support
Finally Darkest chapter of harrassment,corruption and nepotism is closed.thank you everyone who stood by us to make this happen
Special thanks to @ShaziaAttaMarri @NasimZehra @marvisirmed @Maria_Memon @MunizaeJahangir @SsamanJay @SaeedGhani1 @Fereeha @asmashirazi pic.twitter.com/c1xHwSSRZV— Tanzeela Mazhar (@TenzilaMazhar) November 17, 2017
People on Twitter in response joined in her happiness
More power to you for taking a consistent stand.
— Nasim Zehra (@NasimZehra) November 17, 2017
https://twitter.com/PakArmyySSG/status/932210420139556864
Good riddance to bad rubbish
— A11MED (@ahmedesquire) November 19, 2017
It is important to stand up against instances of harassment. It is also equally important to support those taking a stand for themselves. Harassment should not be taken lightly, because it effects the lives of individuals. Tanzeela’s story is a story of success, a story which must be celebrated because she was able to fight against the power structure and ensured that justice overshadowed every illegal obstacle in her path. More power to women like Tanzeela. We stand by you!
Cover image via: hipinpakistan.com
