In Pakistan, the fact that, consensual but discreet relationships can occur, but cultural and legal constraints often make women vulnerable to exploitation - by Shabnam Choudry #Pakistan #Blackmailing #women_most_victims

 

The prevalence of blackmail involving secretly filmed explicit videos in Pakistan, particularly targeting women, and the systemic issues surrounding law enforcement and societal biases. Let’s address the possibility that the video involving Mona Alam was part of a blackmail scheme, while grounding the response in the available information and the broader context.

Context of Blackmail and Gender Dynamics in Pakistan

In Pakistan, the fact that, consensual but discreet relationships can occur, but cultural and legal constraints often make women vulnerable to exploitation.

In the above video reported by Tehmina Sheikh where a girl had been blackmailed by filming her dance in a marriage party, in which no illicit sex or any indecency but she was dancing. He told her meet me and allow me to have sex with you otherwise I'll send this video to your relatives.

This is clearly a very serious criminal offence yet Pakistan legal system failed to protect the basic rights of the above girl. She was blackmailed by not one man, but two. The tool of blackmail which is video, travel from one man to another to blackmail her for sexual favour. How on earth a person in such a situation would remain normal yet the journalist instead to high light cruelty she been subjected through by blackmailing but the legal system of the country failed to provide her justice, and instead standing by her, journalist also accusing the victim and playing out the piety card.

The video of a marriage party where she was dancing, without her permission no one can use it or publish it at the first place. To use it to blackmail her just because her family is conservative need to look into the legal system. The blackmailer committed two crimes yet legal system was unable to provide justice to her.

Reports indicate that secretly filming intimate encounters to blackmail women for continued sexual favours or financial gain is a recurring issue. For instance, historical cases like the 2015 Hussain Khan Wala scandal involved over 280 children being filmed and blackmailed, showing how such tactics can target vulnerable groups. More recently, cases involving public figures like Mona Alam and other Pakistani influencers (e.g., Maryam Faisal, Mathira Mohammad) highlight a pattern where explicit videos—often fake or misattributed—are circulated to damage reputations or extort victims. The use of AI-generated or manipulated content has further complicated these issues, making it easier to fabricate compromising material.

Women are disproportionately targeted due to societal stigma around female sexuality in Pakistan’s conservative culture. The shame associated with explicit content, whether real or fake, can be weaponized to silence or control victims. Legal protections, such as the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016, exist to address cybercrimes like blackmail (e.g., sections 21, 24, and 509 of the Pakistan Penal Code). However, enforcement is often weak, and societal biases can discourage women from reporting due to fear of further humiliation or retaliation. For example, a 2019 case in Lahore involved a man arrested for blackmailing a woman with non-consensual videos, but the lack of consistent punishment and media sensationalism often deters victims from seeking justice.

Mona Alam’s Case and the Blackmail Hypothesis

Mona Alam, a prominent Pakistani news anchor, has denied being the person in the explicit video that surfaced in December 2024, labeling it as part of a malicious smear campaign. She claims the woman in the video is a “proven criminal” and has filed a complaint with the Federal Investigation Agency’s (FIA) Cyber Crime division, providing links to the offending social media posts and asserting that the video was sent to senior journalists via WhatsApp to amplify the damage. Her response suggests she is proactively countering an attempt to tarnish her reputation, which aligns with the pattern of character assassination campaigns targeting Pakistani public figures.

If the video was indeed intended to blackmail Mona Alam, several factors support this hypothesis:

1. Pattern of Targeting Public Figures: The circulation of the video to senior journalists and on social media platforms mirrors tactics used in blackmail schemes to maximize pressure on the victim. By threatening public exposure, perpetrators could coerce Mona Alam into compliance, whether for financial gain, personal vendettas, or, a sexual service.
2. Cultural Leverage: The stigma attached to explicit content in Pakistan makes women like Mona Alam prime targets. Even if the video is fake, the mere association can cause significant reputational harm, giving blackmailers leverage.
3. Weak Legal Recourse: The law enforcement in Pakistan often fails to effectively address such cases. A 2016 case involving Farhan Mirza, who blackmailed Muslim women with secret recordings, showed how perpetrators exploit cultural shame. Similarly, a 2024 report about female doctors being filmed and blackmailed in hospitals noted victims’ reluctance to pursue formal complaints due to fear of family backlash or ineffective legal action. This systemic bias could embolden blackmailers targeting Mona Alam, assuming she might not seek justice.

However, there are also factors to consider that complicate the blackmail hypothesis:

1. Mona Alam’s Public Denial: Her swift and public response, including filing a legal complaint and sharing evidence to refute the video’s authenticity, suggests she is not succumbing to blackmail but fighting back. This could indicate that the video’s primary purpose was defamation rather than extortion, as public circulation reduces its leverage for private coercion.
2. Lack of Direct Evidence of Blackmail: The available sources do not explicitly mention demands made to Mona Alam (e.g., for money or favors) in connection with the video. Her complaint focuses on the video’s circulation as a smear campaign, not necessarily as a tool for ongoing extortion.
3. Possibility of Fabrication: Mona Alam’s claim that the video features a “proven criminal” and is fake aligns with reports of AI-generated or misattributed content targeting other Pakistani celebrities. If the video is fabricated, it might be less about personal blackmail and more about orchestrated reputational damage, possibly by rivals or trolls.

Law Enforcement and Systemic Challenges

The bias of law enforcement agencies in Pakistan and their poor track record in addressing blackmail. This is supported by evidence:

• Ineffective Enforcement: In the 2015 Hussain Khan Wala case, villagers reported police complicity, and victims faced obstacles in filing complaints. Similarly, the 2016 Amnesty International report noted that women face online blackmail and harassment with little recourse, as platforms like Facebook often fail to address local context, and police may dismiss complaints.
• Cultural Barriers: Women reporting blackmail risk further victimization due to societal judgment. In a 2024 case involving a female doctor, the victim avoided legal action to prevent family exposure, relying instead on informal intervention. This reflects a broader reluctance to engage with a biased system.
• Legal Gaps: While PECA provides a framework for prosecuting cybercrimes, its implementation is inconsistent. The FIA’s Cyber Crime unit has made arrests (e.g., the 2019 Lahore case), but convictions and deterrence remain limited, as noted in media commentary urging “exemplary punishments.”

If Mona Alam was targeted for blackmail, the systemic weak legal enforcement and bias against women—would make it challenging for her to seek justice. Her decision to file a complaint with the FIA is notable, but the outcome depends on the agency’s ability to investigate and prosecute effectively, which historical cases suggest is uncertain.

Analysis and Conclusion

If the video was intended to blackmail Mona Alam, it fits a disturbing pattern in Pakistan where women are exploited through secretly filmed or fabricated content. The public circulation of the video could be a tactic to pressure her into compliance by leveraging cultural stigma, especially given her high-profile status. However, her proactive response—denying the video’s authenticity, identifying the woman as a “proven criminal,” and pursuing legal action—suggests she is resisting rather than yielding to potential blackmail. This aligns more with a defamation campaign than a traditional blackmail scheme, though the two are not mutually exclusive.

The broader context that men deceiving women in consensual relationships, secretly filming them, and exploiting weak legal protections—is well-documented. Cases like Farhan Mirza’s in 2016 and the 2019 Lahore arrest show how perpetrators exploit cultural and systemic vulnerabilities. However, without specific evidence of blackmail demands in Mona Alam’s case, it’s equally plausible that the video’s release was meant to damage her reputation publicly rather than extort her privately.

Recommendations for Clarity

• Investigate Perpetrators: The FIA should prioritize tracing the source of the video and any associated demands to determine if blackmail was the intent. This includes examining WhatsApp messages sent to journalists, as Mona Alam reported.
• Strengthen Legal Protections: Pakistan needs stronger enforcement of cybercrime laws and training for law enforcement to handle cases sensitively, reducing bias against women.
• Public Awareness: Raising awareness about AI-generated fakes and blackmail tactics could empower victims to come forward without fear of stigma.