What is the domestic violence law?
The opposition to the Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Bill 2021 exposes both the societal paradox that violence in one form or another is necessary to sustain our family structure,…
Kumrat valley: the looming crisis
There are two valleys in the central Hindu Kush which have no parallels in terms of their beauty. Both open into the extreme north of Pakistan: into Chitral and Gilgit.…
Shockwaves out of UAE
UNMARRIED men and women may live together, alcohol restrictions are gone, and honour killings will be judged a crime just as any other. This official decree took effect last week in the…
Doctrine of control – Part I
For several decades now, Pakistani society has operated under the doctrine of control vis-a-vis women. As a result, the human dignity of Pakistani women and the scope of protection given…
Change and a school teacher
As they say, ‘It doesn't matter where you start. It’s where you finish that does’. That is the life of a simple less known school teacher Nisar A Siddiqui (1944-2020)…
Who killed Mashal Khan?
What was killed in the form of the bodily existence of Mashal Khan was liberal and progressive thinking and 21st century global thinking. But, who killed him: the one who…
One percent versus ninety-nine
What was Jinnah's Pakistan? Constitutionalism (never mind if it was the India Act of 1935), rule of law, good governance, highest standards of probity, and a tolerant society (where mandir,…
The consequence of resistance literature – Part II
This is the second and final part of my column in response to some observations made by readers on the series about resistance writing. One reader, Retired Col Aizaz, asked…
Jirga space slashed
ON a recent visit to the tribal areas, Prime Minister Imran Khan promised the continuation of the jirga system as it was favoured by the people. While honouring this commitment,…
Half the population
AT a recent event on women’s rights held under the auspices of an international human rights agency, speakers had sobering news. The situation of women, attendees were told, had not…
