Tag: Pakistan

SALMAN RAFI SHEIKH – Military creep: Pakistan’s federal system is being undermined by militarisation

In 2008, when Pakistan transitioned from nine years of military rule under Pervez Musharraf to an elected civilian government led by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), many believed that Pakistan’s ‘culture of military coups’ was headed in a decisively more democratic direction. The transition came about as a result of the ‘Lawyers’ Movement’, a mass… Read More SALMAN RAFI SHEIKH – Military creep: Pakistan’s federal system is being undermined by militarisation

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Alia Waheed: Pakistan reckons with its ‘gender terrorism epidemic’ after murder of Noor Mukadam

The family of a 27-year-old woman who was allegedly tortured and beheaded by the son of a business tycoon have spoken of their devastation in a case that has pushed Pakistan to examine what has been called a “gender terrorism epidemic”. Zahir Zakir Jaffer was arrested on suspicion of the pre-meditated murder of Noor Mukadam, the youngest… Read More Alia Waheed: Pakistan reckons with its ‘gender terrorism epidemic’ after murder of Noor Mukadam

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Hamza Bangash's 1978 transports you to a time when Karachi truly was the city of lights

The film, 1978, has been nominated for two awards at the Palm Springs Film Festival 2021, a qualifier for the Oscars, and is about a Christian-Goan rockstar who must decide if he can change with the times, as Pakistan transforms under a revolutionary fervour. It has been nominated for the Best of the Festival Award and Best… Read More Hamza Bangash's 1978 transports you to a time when Karachi truly was the city of lights

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Pakistan: Family of 12 year-old girl forced to marry her abductor condemn authorities

The family of a 12-year-old girl in Pakistan who was chained up in a cattle pen for more than six months, after allegedly being kidnapped and forced to marry her abductor, have attacked the authorities for refusing to act. The case is among those now being examined by a government inquiry into the forced conversions of religious minority… Read More Pakistan: Family of 12 year-old girl forced to marry her abductor condemn authorities

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Karima Baloch’s death leaves more questions than answers. By NAILA INAYAT

Hailing from the restive province of Balochistan and being a vocal critic of the Pakistani State on the issue of forced disappearances, Karima Mehrab had for long received threats and intimidation in Pakistan. She was forced to leave Pakistan but continued to receive threats on her life in Canada. Her uncle was killed, her home was… Read More Karima Baloch’s death leaves more questions than answers. By NAILA INAYAT

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Khaled Ahmed: Pakistan’s blasphemy law is used to target the Christian community with impunity

Before India’s “love jihad”, Pakistan found its way to getting rid of its Christians. Blasphemy was pinned on them with the confidence that no judge would let them off the hook, with pious crowds demanding death outside his court. Pakistan’s most humiliating moment is reached every time someone is accused of blasphemy and sentenced to… Read More Khaled Ahmed: Pakistan’s blasphemy law is used to target the Christian community with impunity

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