Daily Times

Sir: The recent incident of acid throwing on Huma Shahid in Lahore is a stark reminder of our intolerant and patriarchal set-up heavily loaded against the womenfolk. The Islamic Republic of Pakistan has several women protection Acts to its credit but all of them are gathering dust in legal files. The tragic fate meted out to the unfortunate lecturer by a stonehearted suitor should not be allowed to pass without any stringent action taken against him. A ceremonial condemnation would keep the issue unaddressed as it has been the case so far. It is time to ask ourselves about the direction this society is moving in. We have reduced women to mere objects that could be dispensed with as and when wanted. We certainly need to consider them as human beings who need support and care. There is also an urgent need to bring to book all those involved in the wicked acts of humiliating women lest we become a desensitized society that allows the psychopaths to operate freely.

Inayat Atta

Islamabad