Women literacy in FATA on April 1, 2017We all are aware and even enlightened that Women’s education in Pakistan is a fundamental right of every female citizen, according to article thirty-seven of the Constitution of Pakistan, but gender discrepancies still exist in the educational sector. Sadly, Pakistan has one of the lowest literacy rates in the world. However, it should come as […]
Things I hate about Lahore on March 10, 2017Every city or town in Pakistan is famous for one thing or the other. However, for us Lahoris, all arguments cease to matter before our simple motto – “Lahore Lahoreae” (Lahore is Lahore). Lahore is a major urban and modern metropolitan city in Pakistan. The city is famous for so many tags like Education city, […]
Gender equality, a dogma! on March 5, 2017 What is Gender equality and how it can be achieved? the answer is very much simple gender equality is achieved when women and men enjoy the same rights and opportunities across all sectors of society, including economic participation and decision-making, and when the different behaviours, aspirations and needs of women and men are equally […]
Children at risk on January 23, 2017Violence against children is common and endemic in Pakistan. Around 1.2 million children living on the streets of Pakistan’s major cities and urban centres constitute the country’s largest and one of the most vulnerable social groups. These include “runaway” children who live or work on the streets as well as those that return to their […]
Street crimes on the rise on December 5, 2016It is worth noting that Lahore, with a population of over 15 million, has a police force of approximately 25,000. I am a simple citizen and living in Lahore for the last 29 years without any fear, but from past few months’ incidents of crime, in particular street crime, have increased my apprehensions. Official data […]
The transgender tragedy in Pakistan on November 21, 2016One of the most vulnerable and marginalised minority communities in Pakistan, transgender people, sometimes narrowly referred to as Khwaja Siras, have had a very different role and status in the society historically. Transgenders enjoy the least amount of respect or rights in Pakistan. Due to the repressive societal mindset, the subject of transgenders’ rights is […]
Pakistan-India: the unresolved Kashmir issue on September 25, 2016On February 5, 2016, in Muzaffarabad, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif while addressing a joint session of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Assembly on the Kashmir Day said that the solution of all issues, including that of the disputed Kashmir, lies in dialogue. Unless we sit together and talk about these issues, nothing would be resolved. […]
No honour in honour killing on September 9, 2016An honour crime is an international phenomenon; however, this phenomenon is more widespread in Pakistan. Killing of women is largely due to inhuman and violent customary practices across Pakistan’s conservative society in the name of so-called ‘honour’. Recently, media highlighted many cases of ‘honour’ killings such as that of Muqaddas bibi who was killed by […]
Drug addiction: a social problem of Pakistan on August 30, 2016The Drug Use in Pakistan 2013 Survey Report, a collaborative research by the Narcotics Control Division, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics and the UN, states that there are 7.6 million drug addicts in the country, out of which 78 percent are men and 22 percent women. Cannabis is the most commonly used drug in Pakistan, with […]
The futility of Islamophobia on June 7, 2016The First Amendment to the Constitution of the US is unique in the world. Other than religious freedom as well as a bar on Congress from respecting an establishment of religion, this amendment provides for an unfettered right to freedom of speech and press. This is how it should be everywhere ideally but, unfortunately, we […]