Usman Mirza Incident, Learning Aspects and Responsibilities
Usman Mirza Leaked Video | Usman Mirza Video scandal of Islamabad Rest House | How to be Safe in Hotel with Family | عثمان مرزا واقعہ، سیکھنے کے پہلو اور ذمہ داریاں
عوام، بیوروکریسی اور فردوس عاشق اعوان ۔۔ مضامینِ نو، ڈاکٹر محمد جاسر آفتاب
By Dr. Muhammad Jasir Aftab
Certainly a very sad incident; and heartbreaking details continue to emerge over time. In a rest house in Islamabad, a couple in the room were tortured by the owner and allegedly forced to get naked. During this, a video was made and then allegedly blackmailed. The details revealed that even before this, unmarried couples were allegedly blackmailed by making secret videos.
After the video of this incident went viral, the police took action and the accused were arrested. After the Prime Minister took notice, the case is being monitored at the highest level. It is hoped that the worst punishment will be given for this heinous act and the accused will be made an example of while remaining within the ambit of the law.
Important Lessons from the Islamabad Rest House Incident
There are some learning aspects in this incident and some responsibilities; of the institutions as well as of all of us.
Choose Accommodation Carefully
Before staying overnight in any place with family, one should make sure about the place. One should try to stay in a hotel where accommodation is normal and there is regular staff and management. In this regard, one should get information from a friend, relative or colleague who has stayed in that city in advance.
In such hotels and rest houses where the system is better, a complete investigation is done before getting a room and if the family is not confirmed in the identity card, then the room is refused. Be more careful about such lodgings that are run by someone contrary to proper management or where a house has been converted into a rest house, or whose rent is extremely less or more than usual contrary to the standard.
Protect Your Privacy While Staying in Hotels or Rest Houses
Whatever level of hotel or restaurant you take a room in, after entering the room, it is mandatory to check the door locks, windows, cupboard doors, washroom and other places to see if there are any suspicious holes or cameras installed anywhere. Set the curtains on the windows in the room well so that nothing can be seen from outside.
Limit your activities during your stay in the room. Choose a corner to change clothes and turn off the lights during this time. If there is daylight, arrange a suitable curtain with a sheet while changing. Try to have the staff clean the room, change the bed, return the dishes, etc. under your supervision during your stay. If you stay in the room thinking that someone can see from outside, many complicated problems can be avoided.
Parents Must Supervise and Guide Their Children
The most important responsibility is training children, supervising them and holding them accountable. You will have to keep a close eye on children, especially in this digital age where one wrong click can destroy the entire family.
Give the family time, take the children for walks yourself. Keep an eye on the children, who their friends are and where they spend time with whom. If the children have to go out with friends, be completely sure about where and with whom they are going. Even if children spend the night at a relative’s house or are going somewhere with a cousin, keep an eye on them to make sure they are not going somewhere else under the pretext of a cousin. It should be clear that until children get married, no matter how old they are, they should be kept under the watchful eye like children.
Extra Care for Students Living in Hostels
If children are staying in a private hostel for the purpose of education or employment, it is very important to take care of them. Especially in the case of girls, they should be more careful. The hostel should be selected after thorough investigation. Keep in constant contact with the children living in the hostel. Surprise visits to the hostel should be made. Children should be given the confidence that they can contact their parents in case of any kind of problem.
Digital Responsibility Can Prevent Blackmail
Youth also have the responsibility to avoid going to extreme measures. In this digital world, it is in their own hands to protect their own and their family’s honor. Do not keep any video or picture of yourself in your mobile that you do not want your family or anyone else to see except you or your closest friends. Women should be especially careful in this regard. Everyone should know the norms and limits of themselves and their families and should never go beyond them. If no one is given the opportunity to blackmail, the chances of blackmailing are very low.
Institutions Must Strengthen Monitoring and Enforcement
It is the responsibility of institutions to strictly monitor clubs, rest houses, hotels and private hostels. In big cities, especially, monitor these places through intelligence systems and take action against groups involved in any kind of blackmailing.
A Wake-Up Call for Society
There is an open message for all of us in this one incident and from this everyone can also examine their own direction and try to correct it as needed. Remember that no matter how educated you are, how rich you are, or how liberal you are, you cannot turn a blind eye to the reality of this society.
