Dawn Images

Patari cofounder Khalid Bajwa resigns as evidence of sexual misconduct surfaces

Three women have come forward claiming Bajwa behaved inappropriately with them

Updated 14 Apr, 2018

Earlier today, sexual harassment allegations against Patari cofounder and CEO Khalid Bajwa surfaced on social media.

One woman, Mehravaar, came forward on Twitter and shared screenshots of her WhatsApp exchange with Bajwa, finally speaking out, claiming that she felt "uncomfortable and overpowered by a man twice my age."

She added that he "graced me with unwelcome hugs" at public events.

Speaking to Images, Mehravaar said: "I just want to say that he’s been doing this for years. Especially to young girls. Coercing them to meet, reminding them of his position of power and trying to entice with weird perks related to Patari and whatnot. I just want people to be safe from him."

A short time after Mehravaar came forward, another Twitter user Zainab used the platform to allege that Bajwa had similarly behaved inappropriately with her. She said: "Although it was a very long time ago. I was only 17, I went through a stupid breakup and this guy, mind you he was 27 years old back then, took so much advantage of me back then. I was only 17 and didn’t know any better."

Since then, a third woman has come forward to Images and spoken about her experience with the Patari cofounder under anonymity: "We'd be talking about work and he'd deviate and ask me out for coffee or ask me to paint my nails red for him, his "dying wish". He later apologised for such comments by saying 'I never meant anything by it, I think I lost the handle on the conversation a bit. I was really upset with myself. Eik toh tharak mari bhi nahi aur ulta par bhi gayi.' I brushed it off but clearly I know now that this wasn't a one-off incident."

Patari has since released an official statement online which reads: In light of recent events, Patari's CEO Khalid Bajwa will be stepping down from his post with immediate effect." And that an investigation is underway.

Update: Patari's investor syndicate, Sarmayacar, has released a statement saying that Ahmer Naqvi has presided as the interim CEO after Bajwa was asked to step down from his position.

Images has reached out to Patari for further comment, but the portal has declined to issue any further statement at this time.

Images has also reached out to Khalid Bajwa and awaits a response.

Comments

saquib mumtaz Apr 11, 2018 04:25pm

you go girls. More power to you

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The Right Left Apr 11, 2018 05:06pm

Good job girls !

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A. A. Apr 11, 2018 05:30pm

How difficult is it to block someone on whatsapp or other social platforms? Why engage in a conversation with someone who is making you uncomfortable?

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jaredlee67 Apr 11, 2018 05:31pm

This is rampant in Pakistan.

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fari Apr 11, 2018 05:41pm

Perfect power and thumbs up to you girls.

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Nimra Apr 11, 2018 05:50pm

he is also a blackmailer

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Baig Apr 11, 2018 05:53pm

All these girls and others out there who can relate to this lets have a reality check. Guys chase girls. Is that too difficult to understand? I am sorry but 17 is not a baby age. If at that age you are allowing someone to massage your foot thinking that he is just being nice you are not naïve but kidding yourselves. There are many types of people in this world. There are guys and girls who have these same discussions and are more than willing to go further.If you are uneasy and uncomfortable just tell the person off firmly trust me these types wont waste their efforts on you any more .Saying "If I do this you will not ask for more" is not saying no in fact in flirting dictionary that is like saying "I am not really comfortable but I am not entirely opposed to this either so lets go with the flow" and will only spur them on. Be a bit more sensible. Bad guys like these exist everywhere and they do get bad girls and if you are not one learn to say so firmly.

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SQ Apr 11, 2018 06:02pm

My full support to these brave girls. There are a few things I want to say to all women and girls: if you're going through a rough patch, talk to friends, take up hobbies, read books or take a personal grooming class. Don't let creeps take advantage of you. The red flags are always there, so be aware and vigilant. In Pakistan, it will take another couple of centuries for men to understand the meaning of being 'just friends' with a woman. If a man claims to be your friend, 99.99% chances are that he's trying to take advantage of you (especially if you're in an emotionally weaker state). Don't let them.

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Annie Apr 11, 2018 06:20pm

Hello dear defenders of Khalid bajwa, you don't know what all he has done. The screenshots are not the story. But patari won't openly say what Khalid has done. And no they haven't fired him over some screenshots.

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Pakistani Apr 11, 2018 06:52pm

Good that Patari have taken this step. Every form of harassment, from that that happens to women on the street, buses and workplaces, has to be stamped out and women have to be respected. The police and the courts should start jailing and fining this type of conduct Well done to the ladies for speaking up, I am with you.

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saqib Apr 11, 2018 06:57pm

In both cases girls were hesitant to say no firmly. We need to empower our women and teach them to stand up for themselves. Guys will always try and court girls in every society.

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N abidi Apr 11, 2018 07:52pm

Very strong woman that came out, in this male dominated society, respect! Justice should be the same to all!

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Skkk Apr 11, 2018 08:16pm

Its unfair to put private conversations on public forums. Just block anyone that seem creepy or impolite. No need to converse with strangers especially over long periods of time

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Awaz.... Apr 11, 2018 09:34pm

Man, he looks like a womanizer and blackmailer...

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SARa Apr 11, 2018 10:25pm

@Baig Do you even understand meaning of harassment? They wanted to talk about music and it was work related conversation. He is clearly diverting the conversation. So every girl should block and give him the power to decide their future? What kind of logic is this?. Instead of standing by the girl and asking the harrasser to change his behaviour you want girls to back off their dreams. Weird logic!

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SARa Apr 11, 2018 10:29pm

@A. A. How difficult is for a person in power to have a professional conversation? How difficult is to teach men how to behave in position of power? This is professional harrassement. Blocking a conversation means a pervert is coming in the way of career. Why should anyone tolerate such behaviour?

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loya Apr 11, 2018 11:11pm

One case of a young married lady, MBA, married mother of daughter, I was following to save her from a predator officer in a State Institution in Islamabad, I came to realize that our Capital has turned in to a shocking sex and sin city. FBook is the open brothel Album with pictures and price of the young girls.

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Bupi Apr 11, 2018 11:19pm

Their are always two sides of coin & similarly their are two sides of story. Truth will definitely come out as it's easy to defame one then to defend .

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M. Saeed Apr 11, 2018 11:50pm

Patari is Pandora's box that has been opened.

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Sara Apr 12, 2018 01:10am

@Annie can you please elaborate? As in were there multiple complaints in the office? This report makes it seem like it is all about screenshots

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Osman Apr 12, 2018 03:35am

Avoid intermingling with the opposite gender.

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S.S Apr 12, 2018 03:50am

@Skkk wow are you for real bro? seriously? It's impolite of her to put in on a public forum but it's perfectly polite of a man to say such weird things. Now you mean to say if someone is done harm in private they should not come out and say it in public because it happened in private. You have some really flawed logic here.

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Ravi, USA Apr 12, 2018 06:47am

For all these people blaming and shaming the victims, pls understand most women (and in this case a 17year old girl) are innocent, trained to please and yes even gullible. Exposed to a power equation with a predator this is exactly how they are exploited. Please never never shame a victim. You are impeding progress.

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Sam R Apr 12, 2018 08:46am

@A. A. there you go with your victim blaming. You may be oblivious. But there are many many situations, when women feel a threat of retaliation.

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rek Apr 12, 2018 09:01am

@A. A. its the money, fame and free ride that no one gives up easily

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H Apr 12, 2018 09:08am

Good on the company for standing againt harrasment. Don't say why did they engage in conversation, talk about why he was being extra frank with them. You can see he throws in 'patari' in his conversation. These women ofcourse think its just business, wouldnt a man jump for an opp for growth. Exploting for sexual favors is wrong!

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NPower Apr 12, 2018 09:35am

Clapping cannot be done with one hand. Blocking what’s app is it difficult? If both are guilty then only side should not be punished

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Salik Apr 12, 2018 09:53am

i think it should be clarified that they worked for him and one was an intern

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Bari Abro Apr 12, 2018 09:57am

This need to be investigated more in detail, if he falls to be the abuser so there must be more victims and they should come forward. We should not be concluding this so soon with just three feedbacks..

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Hani Apr 12, 2018 10:24am

I hope the accusations are not true yet if they are I hope Patari continues to grow stronger.

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shoaib Apr 12, 2018 11:01am

Why would girls engage in conversation when they are offended in first instance? They usually provide ample room for men to intervene like keeping their status open to everyone on Whatsap, add men to their Instagram or Facebook account and even chat on Skype. When they are usually done with their motive, harassment complaints emanate somehow. Why they claim to break the silence all of a sudden?

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saima Apr 12, 2018 12:44pm

well done girls!

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Aamer Apr 12, 2018 01:18pm

@Baig 17 ia not a minor either. So this man needs to be investigated.

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Jania Bhatti Apr 13, 2018 07:48pm

This happens in LUMS as well. An econ professor Usman Khan was exchanging dirty messages with one of his students and some of those screenshots circulated through the student body but no action was taken against him. It was a clear case of abuse of power but he has not even been given a warning. He used to entice girls to come to his office in exchange for grades. If LUMS has such sleazebags, then no place in Pakistan is safe. He is now an adviser in planning and development department. Apparently money makes men lose their conscience and any shred of respect for women.

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Chris Roberts Apr 15, 2018 04:20am

@Osman This sort of thing also happens not infrequently between people - usually males- of the same gender. Avoiding intermingling altogether is very unnatural and unhealthy, and is definitely not a guarantee of immunity.

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WesternEast Apr 15, 2018 09:11am

Why to keep communicating or sending pictures to a person who doesn't feel decent initially?

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WesternEast Apr 16, 2018 10:44pm

This is what happens when girls and boys don't listen to their parents, when they are asked to ' keep your limits, stay away from strangers'

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