There have been reports of a highly charged dispute involving Pakistani models Nimra Jacob and Hasnain Lehri during this year’s Textile EXPO fashion show.
The conflict occurred backstage and escalated so much that Jacob leveled accusations of physical assault and verbal harassment against Lehri.
A clip of their intense altercation was circulated on Instagram, capturing the charged atmosphere. It portrayed Jacob and Lehri engaged in a war of words, with other models serving as silent witnesses to the spectacle.
Visibly shaken after the physical encounter, Jacob confessed, “He attacked me physically… I’m still reeling from the shock.” Her statement was delivered by other female models, who appeared equally stunned by the confrontation.
Post-incident, Jacob emphasized the crucial need to ensure their safety. She chose Instagram Stories as the platform to express her sentiments and make her stance clear. Her message was stern and uncompromising: “You don’t have the authority to belittle, intimidate, or harass me. And it is unacceptable to lay hands on me without facing the consequences.”
She shed light on the broader issue of safety concerns within the fashion industry, stating, “We have tolerated more than enough abuse, disrespect, and sheer negligence of our safety in the fashion industry. However, when it comes to abuse, harassment, bullying, and assault, I cannot find it in me to forgive.”
Jacob alleged that she was threatened without any valid reason and subjected to verbal and physical assault. Moreover, her personal belongings were misused to blackmail her, and while defending her, her female colleagues were placed in a potentially harmful situation.
To provide a more detailed account, Jacob explained, “All of this happened in my professional environment, where I had already informed management of my concerns about the impending threat posed by the accused even before he turned violent. Therefore, management should have intervened when I voiced my safety concerns.
“Thankfully, there were onlookers who witnessed his egregious behavior. Some people observed the entire sequence of events, from his threats to his act of physical violence. I might be traumatized, but at least I am not standing alone.
“I will not let anyone abuse, threaten, intimidate, or demean me or my colleagues. So, today, I stand tall and resolved to call out these abusers, harassers, and bullies for what they truly are.
“To create a safe workspace in our industry, we must unite against disrespect. It is necessary to hold those responsible for our safety accountable and show no leniency towards those who spread violence and aggression in the workplace. I am fed up with this toxic, abusive culture,” concluded Jacob in her Instagram post.
On the other side of this controversy, Lehri has chosen silence so far, not making any public statement or comment about the incident or the serious accusations brought against him by Jacob.
