Pakistani actress Naeema Butt has sparked an emotional conversation online after sharing a deeply personal post about her advocacy for abuse survivors while renewing her call for stricter action against the easy availability of acid-based products in Pakistan.
Taking to Instagram, Naeema posted a powerful video alongside a lengthy caption titled “My Story-For My Sisters,” in which she reflected on her journey as an activist, performer, and advocate for women who have survived violence and abuse.
The actress explained that her work in performance arts and theatre was never driven by fame.
According to Naeema, she spent nearly two decades using theatre, drama, and creative expression to support abuse survivors and amplify their voices. She said she entered television later in her career with the aim of portraying women’s strength rather than focusing solely on their suffering.
In her message, Naeema spoke about the challenges she claims to have faced while standing up for women’s rights. She recalled her campaign against the open sale of acid in Pakistan and revealed that she received threats after supporting survivors and speaking out against abuse.
She also alleged that she had to leave the country on several occasions while working to protect vulnerable women and children.
The actress further claimed that she survived a separate attack months ago when individuals allegedly targeted her vehicle outside her home. While sharing details of the incident, Naeema said she believes women who refuse to remain silent often face intimidation and pressure for speaking up about their rights.
A major focus of her post was the story of Beenish, an acid attack survivor whose experience was highlighted in the video. The documentary-style clip, presented through Naeema’s social initiative PEHLAAJ, featured Beenish recounting the horrific day she was attacked.
According to Beenish, the attacker restrained her before throwing acid on her face, leaving her with severe injuries. She described the immense physical and emotional pain that followed, revealing that multiple parts of her body were affected, including her face, eyes, hands, back, and legs.
Throughout the video, Naeema questioned whether enough was being done to prevent such attacks. She highlighted a receipt and forensic documentation linked to an acid-based cleaning product, arguing that harmful substances remain easily accessible despite their potential misuse.
The actress stressed that raising awareness alone is not enough and called for practical measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Beenish also shared the emotional aftermath of her injuries, recalling the moment she regained consciousness after surgery. She revealed that she initially believed she had died because she could not move or see and only realized she was alive after hearing her mother’s voice beside her.
She went on to describe the devastating impact the attack had on her life and spoke about the value of sight, saying it was only after losing it that she fully understood its importance.
Naeema used the post to express solidarity with women who live in fear of violence and harassment. She encouraged women to prioritize their safety, stay vigilant, seek support when needed, and continue speaking out against injustice.
Concluding her message, the actress said that every woman who survives hardship and refuses to be silenced carries the spirit of a “Faqeera,” a term she used to describe resilience, courage, and perseverance in the face of adversity.
The emotional post quickly resonated with social media users, many of whom praised Naeema for highlighting the struggles of acid attack survivors and reigniting discussion about the need for stronger protections for women across the country.
