LAHORE: Digital music platform Patari’s CEO Khalid Bajwa stepped down on Wednesday after he was alleged of harassment, an official statement from Patari said.
The company issued an official statement after two woman alleged Bajwa of harassment. According to the statement, Bajwa has stepped down and an investigation into the matter has been launched.
Additionally, the statement said that “it was a difficult decision but Patari stands with the victims of harassment and will do everything in its power to ensure that it stands by them”.
One woman named Mehravar Ali accused Bajwa of harassing her and making ‘unwelcome’ moves. “We bumped into each other twice in public gatherings and events, he (Bajwa) graced me with unwelcomed hugs.”
https://twitter.com/mehronnehr/status/983985178287771649
https://twitter.com/mehronnehr/status/983985222436958208
https://twitter.com/mehronnehr/status/983985260747780096
Another woman – named Zainab – also accused Bajwa of harassing her and making her ‘feel uncomfortable’ years ago. She added that she had blocked Bajwa, but he contacted her on Instagram and requested not to expose him for the sake of his wife and children.
As of now, Khalid Bajwa has deactivated his Twitter account. Daily Times has contacted Khalid and COO Ahmer Naqvi for a response, but has not yet received a response from Bajwa. Naqvi, however, said that the official statement of Patari was the only source of information for the time being.
See what Twitter users have to say about the entire situation
these Khalid Bajwa screenshots are making me nauseous just reading them, what a ghaleez perv.
— AZ (@azkhawaja) April 11, 2018
Khalid Bajwa, a married man and a father, was preying on young or even underage girls in the hopes of a sexual relationship. And people still are finding the time to blame the girls who were victims.
"Could've just blocked him"
Or he could've not been a fucking creep.
— SWIM (@haseena421) April 11, 2018
https://twitter.com/mahwashajaz_/status/984019525577400320
Not surprised at the Khalid Bajwa stuff because I always knew he was a creep. Hit on my wife once at Gloria's. Saw her reading a book. Googled said book so he could start a conversation. What a fucking douche-nozzle. Kept sending her Instagram follow requests too.
— SofaKing (@MaltLiquor) April 11, 2018
Bajwa is the co-founder of Pakistan’s first and acclaimed digital platform, Patari, which has arguably transformed a dying music industry of the country. Not only has Patari paved way for artistes to earn decent financial resources for their work, it was also emerged as medium for the local, lesser known musicians to connect with the public.
Ever since Rose McGowan and Ashley Judd came out against Harvey Weinstein accusing him of sexual assault, women all around the world broke silence and revealed their sufferings via the #MeToo campaign.
Several celebrities from Pakistan also joined the campaign and shared their stories of sexual harassment and assault.