LAHORE: The residence of prominent journalist, analyst and Daily Times correspondent Marvi Sirmed was found ransacked on Thursday night as the family entered home after being away for holidays. Two laptops, one smartphone, passports of family members among other travel documents were taken.
As soon as the news broke out, social media users, including journalists, activists and prominent personalities condemned the act and announced full support for Sirmed.
Daily Times Editor Raza Rumi said: “Extremely disturbing. dailytimespak correspondent and staff writer Marvi Sirmed’s home in Islamabad was ransacked while she and her hubby Sirmed Manzoor were away for Eid holidays. Everything scanned but only laptops, 1 smartphone and travel docs taken by the ‘thieves’.”
Extremely disturbing. @dailytimespak correspondent & staff writer @marvisirmed’s home in #Islamabad was ransacked while she & her hubby @sirmedmanzoor were away for Eid holidays. Everything scanned but only laptops,1 smartphone & travel docs taken by the ‘thieves’. #ruleoflaw pic.twitter.com/biO1vzdIMx
— Raza Ahmad Rumi (@Razarumi) June 21, 2018
PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz said: “@marvisirmed Disturbed to learn of the ransacking of your residence. A highly condemnable act. Prayers for your safety. Pls take care.”
@marvisirmed Disturbed to learn of the ransacking of your residence. A highly condemnable act. Prayers for your safety. Pls take care.
— Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) June 22, 2018
Awami National Party (ANP) leader Afrasiab Khattak said: “Use of extra judicial methods like abductions, forcing cable operators to block tv channels, disrupting newspaper distribution by brute force and resorting to “technical dacoities” for crushing dissent is the new normal. Welcome to the rule of deep state.”
Use of extra judicial methods like abductions, forcing cable operators to block tv channels, disrupting newspaper distribution by brute force & resorting to “technical dacoities” for crushing dissent is the new normal.Welcome to the rule of deep state. https://t.co/tMxDav4vQv
— Afrasiab Khattak (@a_siab) June 22, 2018
Journalist Mosharraf Zaidi said: “The grandness of our country is in the space it offers to the full spectrum of Pakistaniat. Pakistan is at its most magnificent when dissenting voices like Waqas Goraya or Gul Bukhari or Marvi Sirmed can freely express even the most uncomfortable and unfavourable opinions.”
The grandness of our country is in the space it offers to the full spectrum of Pakistaniat.
Pakistan is at its most magnificent when dissenting voices like Waqas Goraya or Gul Bukhari or Marvi Sirmed can freely express even the most uncomfortable & unfavourable opinions.
— Mosharraf Zaidi (@mosharrafzaidi) June 22, 2018
Journalist Owais Tohid said: “It’s highly condemnable that residence of Marvi Sirmed and Sirmed Manzoor was ransacked. It has happened before to them, high time for authorities to give us believable answer as who are the culprits. With you in solidarity Marvi.”
It’s highly condemnable that residence of @marvisirmed & @sirmedmanzoor was ransacked. It has happened before to them, high time for authorities to give us believable answer as who are the culprits. With you in solidarity Marvi& Sirmed
— Owais Tohid (@OwaisTohid) June 21, 2018
Journalist Naila Inayat said: “Intimidating journalists now a new normal in Pakistan. Marvi Sirmed’s house in Islamabad ransacked. Laptops, smartphone, passports of family members among other travel documents taken.”
Intimidating journalists now a new normal in Pakistan. Marvi Sirmed's house in Islamabad ransacked. Laptops, smartphone, passports of family members among other travel documents taken. https://t.co/rrF4nzP3UN
— Naila Inayat (@nailainayat) June 22, 2018
Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) leader Mohsin Dawar said: “After the abduction of Gul Bukhari the house of Marvi Sirmed has been ransacked in Islamabad as usual by Unknown people. A strongly condemnable act which once again proves that its only the militants mindset which is safe in Pakistan.”
After the abduction of @GulBukhari the house of @marvisirmed has been ransacked in Islamabad as usual by UnKnown people. A strongly condemnable act which once again proves that its only the militants mindset which is safe in Pakistan.
— Mohsin Dawar (@mjdawar) June 22, 2018
Speaking to Daily Times, Marvi said that from the look of it she could tell that the miscreants went through all of the family’s belongings but no valuables such as the jewellery was taken. She said her wedding ring was also gone and she couldn’t find two of her bangles and assumes were also taken.
She said the miscreants detached the new passports and took the valid ones while leaving those expired behind. Marvi added that she doesn’t know much about the incident except that it was similar to an incident that happened in 2010 while they lived in another house in F11.
“I don’t know who would want to rob my house as I don’t even have precious jewellery or such valuables here,” she added.
