The Zainab Alert and beyond
Eleven children were abused in Pakistan every day in the year 2023, per Sahil – an NGO working for children’s welfare. In total, 4,213 cases of child abuse were reported…
Saving the other Zainabs
It is disheartening to see that politicians have continued to spar over the tragic murder of Zainab, ignoring the grief and agony of other parents whose daughters and sons have…
No one killed Zain?
On a day when Pakistan was lit by the lightning of separation between Imran Khan and Reham Khan, I was a bit thrilled by another headline that, of course, was…
Mental health and justice
FORENSIC psychiatry, the nexus between psychology and law, has undergone a transformation within Pakistan’s judicial system. Arising from the foundations set by the Pakistan Penal Code, 1860, and the Criminal…
Home thoughts
IN South Asia’s patriarchal societies, writings by women giving their perspective on sociopolitical issues in the early 20th century are not easily available. Diaries are even rarer. Happily, we now…
A society’s role
Zainab’s murder in Kasur, in 2018, which sensitized – rather rattled – the parents of every minor in the country, led to protests and activation of civil society movements for…
The beloved Prophet (PBUH)
Islam is the pinnacle of revealed religions. With the advent of Islam, the revelation of God's word to mankind stood completed. And our beloved Holy Prophet (PBUH) is the Last…
Systemic nurturing of tragedy
At least twenty-three dead bodies in cars, on their way out of Murree. ‘Januaries’ seem to be particularly brutal. January 4, 2011: the Salmaan Taseer assassination. January 9, 2018: the…
A moment of shame
Raymond Davis, the American who got away scot-free after killing two young Pakistanis in Lahore and a third one by a hit-and-run vehicle coming to his rescue back in January…
Preventing slide into anarchy
Once known as the 'City of Lights' for its vibrant night life, a good part of Karachi lives in almost darkness, devoid of continuous power. This mega city's momentum has…
