What happened: A former employee at Soch, Aiman Rizvi, alleged she had been harassed at her job for months by her employers, which led her to resign, and was later gaslit by one of her ex-colleagues Arafat Mazhar after she spoke up about the issue.
Okay Arafat, this is me holding you accountable. I was harassed at the organization for months, you did nothing despite being on the board. When I finally resigned and put everything in writing after months of being humiliated, gaslighted and bullied – you flew in https://t.co/XnLwDtnab7
— Aiman Rizvi (@Aimanfrizvi) December 21, 2020
Read more on the story: In a Twitter thread on Monday, Rizvi claimed that after she ‘put everything in writing ‘ following her resignation from her job at Soch, Arafat Mazhar ‘flew in for damage control’ to help save the organization’s reputation.
She further proceeds to talk about how she was manipulated by his ‘ legal jargon’ as he continued to invalidate her experiences even when there were multiple witnesses to support her claim.
Expanding on the issue she says,’ The person who called me a damsel in distress? You protected her. She was given a management position despite gaslighting me and taking the side of the harasser. Despite making fatphobic, sexist, classist comments on the regular ‘ and ‘ You told me you would ‘shut me down’ and not allow me to ‘weaponize’ your words? ‘. Rizvi concluded the thread by calling Mazhar out for still associating with the organization. Response from Soch Videos: ProperGaanda has reached out to Soch Videos for their perspective and comment on the situation, as of yet, they have not made a public statement. Twitter Reaction: Following Rizvi’s tweet, many people came out in support: One user said:
Sending you so much love Aiman!!! Thank you for sharing this incredibly difficult account. Im sorry this was done to you. I wish healing for you & accountability for these men.
— Zuneera Shah (@shahshahzon) December 21, 2020
Sana Ahmed, an artist, expressed her disappointment saying:
I am so sorry you had to go through this Aiman. And I’m so disappointed reading all of this. Sending lots of love.
— Sana Ahmad (@sanaahmadzaidi) December 21, 2020
Manal Khan, a multimedia journalist, responded to the story alleging Soch Videos has a pay gap for graduates of local and foreign institutions.
Important thread, but also just wanted to add that the organization has a huge pay gap between foreign and local university graduates. If you have a Pakistani education, get ready to be offered the HALF of what UK/US grads get…to work on stories based in Pakistan :))) https://t.co/v6WPNUGJQL
— Manal Khan (@manalkhan07) December 21, 2020
Another user proceeded to talk about how he’s losing respect for the people involved:
I can assure you Arafat, the people who are disappointed in this culture that’s been in place, would not take it out on religious minorities lol
Your work will be okay, my respect for the people involved however dissipates with every tweet you post
— Zohaib (@notzohaib) December 21, 2020