New Delhi (NVI): An upheaval of sorts has been created in Pakistan as an American woman Cynthia D Ritchie, who presents herself as a writer, has alleged publicly that she was raped by the then interior minister Rahman Malik in 2011 at the Presidential House.
In a video, she has also charged the then Prime Minister of Pakistan Yousuf Raza Gillani of physically manhandling her.
“..In 2011, I was raped by former Interior Minister Rahman Malik. That’s right. I will say it again. I was raped by the then Interior Minister Rahman Malik. I was physically manhandled by the then Health Minister Makhdoom Shahbuddin and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani while he was staying at the President’s House,” Cynthia said in the video broadcast.
The serious charges against top leaders of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) have created an upheaval of sorts, with demands on social media for thorough investigation into the matter.
She reiterated her allegations in her tweets too.
“Occurred at IM’s house in min enclave 2011 around the OBL incident. I thought it a meeting about my visa but I was given flowers/a drugged drink. I kept quiet – who in PPP govt would help me against PPP IM? Recently they attacked family; I’ve had it. Ready to face any accuser,” she wrote in one tweet.
The reference to ‘IM’ is possibly to Interior Minister and the one to ‘OBL’ is to Osama bin Laden, who was killed by the US special forces in a secretive operation in Abbottabad near Islamabad, triggering an acrimony between Pakistan and the US.
“And, yes, I did tell someone at the UsEmb in 2011, but due to ‘fluid’ situation and ‘complex’ relations between US and Pakistan, response was less than adequate. I’ve been engaged to a wonderful man who I met in (Pakistan). He encouraged me to speak out, so we can move on as a couple,” Cynthia said in another tweet.
And, yes, I did tell someone at the UsEmb in 2011, but due to 'fluid' situation and 'complex' relations between US and Pakistan, response was less than adequate.
I've been engaged to a wonderful man who I met in ??. He encouraged me to speak out, so we can move on as a couple. https://t.co/PpfdF9Fuib
— Cynthia D. Ritchie (@CynthiaDRitchie) June 5, 2020
“#ZardariFilthyPPP keeps threatening me. Why? Because they know that over the years I have been raped/assaulted by men in the highest ranks of PPP. They don’t want the world to know,” she said in yet another tweet.
#ZardarisFilthyPPP keeps threatening me. Why? Because they know that over the years I have been raped/assaulted by men in the highest ranks of PPP. They don't want the world to know.
I have decided to go live on facebook in approximately 30 minutes & continue to tell my story.
— Cynthia D. Ritchie (@CynthiaDRitchie) June 5, 2020
“My story is deeply emotional. Even my family has not known until now. I’ve tried to be positive & promote the softer side of Pakistan but have also experienced the very bad. I wish to tell my truth one time so that women, transgenders, locals can understand they are not alone,” she said.
“There is much more. But now I need a few days to rest and be alone with my fiance. I’m tired. I ask the PPP leadership @BBhuttoZardari to tell its people to leave my family alone. I will be ready to meet any and all investigators, as is required by law, as early as next week,” Cynthia said.
There is much more. But now I need a few days to rest and be alone with my fiance. I'm tired.
I ask the PPP leadership @BBhuttoZardari to tell its people to leave my family alone.
I will be ready to meet any and all investigators, as is required by law, as early as next week.
— Cynthia D. Ritchie (@CynthiaDRitchie) June 5, 2020
Meanwhile, Netizens in Pakistan have been making reacting sharply to these charges and are demanding investigation and action.
