Civil society leaders and political figures in Bara have strongly criticised federal ministers over remarks describing the displacement of residents from Tirah Valley as “seasonal migration”, calling the claim derogatory, misleading and detached from ground realities. Read More: Anti-Corruption Day rally organised in Jamrud Bazaar As the government reiterated that no military operation was planned […]
Civil society
Civil society warns against fast-tracked nicotine standards
Civil society organisations and child rights groups in Balochistan have urged the federal government to halt the fast-tracking of mandatory standards for nicotine containing, tobacco-free oral products, warning that the move could fuel addiction among youth and legitimise harmful consumption patterns. Read More: ANF launches crackdown on drug pushers, eight arrested In a joint statement issued on […]
Lawyers, civil society rally to save Karoonjhar Hills
KARACHI – Lawyers and civil society members staged peaceful protests on Wednesday to demand the preservation of Karoonjhar Hills in Tharparkar, Sindh, following concerns over illegal excavation and cultural degradation. Read More: Tharparkar’s Karoonjhar Hills should be converted into a national park The Sindh High Court Bar wrote to the Chief Justice informing him about the planned […]
Experts warn engineering fuels radicalisation
QUETTA: Speakers at a stakeholder consultation on Friday warned that social and political engineering in Balochistan is deepening divisions and fostering radicalisation in an already fragile province. The event, titled “Building Bridges: A Stakeholder Consultation on Tolerance and Inclusivity”, was organised by the Pak Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS) at the Quetta Press Club. Read […]
Karachi Protest Demands Release of Pakistanis Detained on Gaza Flotilla
Civil society staged a Karachi protest Gaza flotilla on Thursday outside the Press Club, demanding the release of detained Pakistani activists. The five-member delegation, led by former senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, was onboard the Gaza Sumud Flotilla intercepted by Israeli forces. The flotilla carried more than 400 activists from 40 countries, aiming to deliver aid […]
Civil society protests detention of Pakistani activists onboard Gaza flotilla
Civil society and advocacy groups gathered on Thursday outside the Karachi Press Club to protest against the detention of activists aboard the Gaza Sumud Flotilla (GSF), calling on the government to demand the release of the Pakistani delegation, led by former Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan. On Wednesday, the GSF, carrying aid to Gaza […]
Sindh chief minister highlights one-year achievements in annual report
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah presented a one-year performance report showcasing the government’s achievements. The report was shared during an event at the Chief Minister’s House. Attendees included ministers, advisers, assembly members, and civil society representatives. During his speech, Murad Ali Shah emphasized that the provincial government’s actions aligned with the leadership’s vision. […]
UNGA says actionable solutions needed to address ocean crisis
NEW YORK: The world must harness clear, transformative and actionable solutions to address ocean crisis, UN General Assembly President Volkan Bozkir said, opening a meeting to generate momentum towards the 2022 UN Ocean Conference, when public health safety measures allow. “Simply speaking, our relationship with our planet’s ocean must change,” he told a high-level thematic […]
Civil society issues
Having discussed other sectors in detail in the many previous columns in the past some months, it is worth revisiting the role of civil society in Pakistan and the kind of issues it faces. In some ways, the term ‘civil society’ is a misnomer as it is applied presently. The theoretical basis of the usage […]
Throttling Dissent
Almost seventy years past independence, Pakistan continues to suffer under a searing ordeal of paranoia. Through its checkered history, the entrenched power corridors cultivated a discourse around ‘existential threat to the state’s survival’, nurturing general distrust of the activities of ‘civil society’ cadres and progressive elements. The hegemonic forces of the state have sought to […]