The vulnerable children of Pakistan on August 6, 2015The struggle for the rights of the child in Pakistan has come a long way to realise the gravity of the situation, in which children remain vulnerable to economic and social exploitation. The Constitution of Pakistan enshrines six Articles to safeguard the rights of children, which include protecting children from slavery, forced labour and employment […]
Schools on the frontline on July 16, 2015Children are among the most vulnerable groups to face violence in Pakistan. While understanding a deep connection between the accessibility of children to a protected, conducive educational environment and human rights, there is a sense of urgency to address militant attacks on educational institutes. Before the Army Public School (APS) attack in Peshawar, which claimed […]
Fleeing their homes in Balochistan on July 9, 2015Once a harmonious andtolerant society, Balochistan is now marred by religious bigotry, faith-based violent attacks and kidnappings for ransom. The deteriorating law and order situation is forcing a large number of people to flee the province, thus stalling the economic, religious and cultural vibrancy of the province. In 2014, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan […]
Plight of Pakistanis in Saudi jails on July 2, 2015The recent debacle of the ultra-nationalist Zaid Hamid ending up in a Saudi jail, sentenced to receive 1,000 lashes for speaking his mind against the government, has paradoxically backfired on all the jingoistic, undemocratic and bigoted rants by Zaid Hamid. Lashing him on the grounds of critiquing the Saudi government is tyrannical and the sentence […]
Fear in the judicial system on June 18, 2015An ideal judiciary would be one that is free of external influence. Pakistan, in the international treaties that it is a signatory to, has bound itself to the provisions relating to the administration of justice, fair trials and the equality of all people in the eyes of the law. But things do not look favourable […]
The landless peasants of Okara on June 11, 2015On August 24, 2002, the Word Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) reported a large contingent of paramilitary troops besieging two villages in Okara district. The purpose was to quell the protest meeting of villagers refusing to pay rent to their landowners. Four men and women were killed and 18 others were wounded by bullets whereas as […]
Children and armed conflicts on June 4, 2015On February 12, 2011, a 12-year-old in school uniform exploded himself at the Punjab Regiment Parade in Mardan, killing 24 army recruits. On May 15, 2012, a boy of 13 years laden with explosives blew himself up in a crowded market place in Bajaur Agency, killing 26 persons and injuring 75 others. On November 20, […]
Damaging indoctrinations on May 28, 2015Prejudice is a common behavioural trait resulting from the dictum that is designed on the principle of exclusiveness. Anything that goes against the preset principles of a nationally accepted narrative is bound to be met with aggressive opposition and even with attempts to diminish dissent and free thought. The same is the case with the […]
Demise of rationality on May 21, 2015To be rational here is another act of delirium. The aggressive and violent onslaught against voices of sanity is becoming a serious issue as the spaces available for free speech are shrinking rapidly with the growing radicalisation of society. Mindsets here are being constantly designed and inculcated, if not evolved on their own. The media […]
Carrying the insignia of blood on May 7, 2015Often we come across the insignia and emblems of religious parties that boastfully show swords with blood on them, attributing them to jihad, a holy war against the west, Christians and Jews. Many affiliates and sub-branches of Islamic outfits, including banned ones, are freely operating in public, promoting their preaching on puritanical cleansing, calling everyone […]