Police records in Lahore show a surge of a whopping 300% rise in the registration of sexual assault cases according to a report on Wednesday.
The increase in registration, according to Geo, comes on the heels of the sexual assault case on a woman TikToker in Lahore where 400 men groped and assaulted her. The videos of the incident went viral and caused a divisive debate in the country about the safety of women especially in public places.
According to the details of the police record, 642 cases have been registered, with 323 in August and 319 in September so far.
DIG Investigation Shariq Jamal Khan was quoted by Geo as saying 110 cases were discarded after they turned out to be false, noting that earlier women would hesitate against lodging an FIR.
"The registration of cases has increased after the Greater Iqbal incident, [...] it has given women the confidence to stand up," the DIG investigation was quoted by Geo as saying.
He said the police was investigating the cases on merit adding that action would be taken against those who filed false complaints.
Reactions to Geo's report expressed shock and horror. Some took to Twitter to say it reflected the mindset of men in power.
A lot of the anger was directed at the prime minister and his government's inability to address the issue in a comprehensive manner.
While others used the opportunity to comment on the hurdles women continue to face in their pursuit of justice.