Islamabad police were on the hunt for the two models after pictures in front of the portrait of the Quaid-e-Azam went viral on social media. The pictures sparked a debate online on whether the pictures were disrespecting the founder of the country or were an expression of freedom.
DC Islamabad also enquired on Twitter if anyone knew the whereabouts or more details about the two models in the photograph or the band that had posted the image called “Mystical Shayari”.
The angry mob went to the extent to cancel Cafe Sol as Mystical Shayari had performed over there, many also claimed the owner of Cafe Sol also owned the band. Cafe Sol came forward and denied all such allegations and said that they are a band and often perform in places but have nothing to do with Cafe Sol.
However on Tuesday (24 August), almost 20 days later, Zulfiqar Mannan, the male in the photograph, was arrested in a raid in Lahore and transferred to Islamabad. Many accounts on Twitter claimed that the police had too much pressure on them from the Prime Minister and had no option but to arrest him. Everybody involved claims that their intentions were just to increase awareness for gender acceptance and freedom and did not intend to disrespect any of the parties involved.
Zulfiqar is stated to be a graduate student at Yale studying English with a focus on anti-colonial literature, public writing, and subjectivity in order to investigate themes of power, gender, and revolution. Many of Zulfiqars friends claim on Twitter that the police had too much pressure on them from the Prime Minister and that he knew he would have to go to jail for it. Others on Twitter have started a #freexulfi movement.
Due to internet outrage, the couple deactivated their Instagram account, blaming nasty and threatening remarks. They said they posed for images while expressing their freedom to self-expression.
