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Feminine perspectives on violence
Komal Shahzadi, a Pakistani writer, columnist, and social activist, is recognized for her work on social issues, women’s rights, and personal relationships. Her five Urdu books reflect her creativity and analytical insight. Shahzadi is celebrated for her empathetic storytelling and advocacy for social justice and women’s empowerment.
Her forthcoming book, The Feminine Perspective and Gender Violence, addresses women’s rights, feminism, and gender violence, covering topics such as the role of women in Pakistan, institutional performance, and the feminism movement. It aims to educate women legally and highlight the psychological impact of gender violence in Eastern societies.
Shahzadi discusses Islamic teachings on gender equality, emphasizing that Islam protects women’s rights. She references Surah An-Nisa and sayings of the Holy Prophet, while also exploring women’s rights in Hinduism, Judaism, and Christianity, critiquing conservative stereotypes of Islam. She also comments on the International Conference held in Beijing on women’s rights and its universal impact. Shahzadi highlights progress in human rights protection in Pakistan, including the “Criminal Laws Amendment and Discrimination” of 2006, aimed at ending domestic violence, harassment, honor killings, and child marriage. These laws protect women’s rights to education, employment, property, and free will in marriage.
She argues that while African and Asian societies experience male chauvinism, the West faces female chauvinism. Islam promotes moderation, contrasting with the extremes observed in various societies. Shahzadi’s book advocates for protecting women’s rights in line with Islamic principles.
DR MAQSOOD JAFRI
USA
Turbat’s desperate plea
Turbat, a city plagued by darkness, cries out for help. Power outages have become an unbearable norm, crippling daily life and stifling progress. The city’s infrastructure struggles to cope, leaving residents in a state of perpetual darkness.
The consequences are far-reaching. Businesses shut down, hindering economic growth. Hospitals struggle to provide critical care, putting lives at risk. Families endure up to 18 hours of load shedding daily, affecting their health, education and well-being. A staggering 80% of households are severely impacted, with a 50% increase in accidents due to poor lighting conditions.
We, the people of Turbat, demand immediate action. We urge the authorities to upgrade the city’s infrastructure, increase power generation capacity and establish reliable supply chains. Turbat deserves better. We deserve light. Reliable electricity is our fundamental right and we cannot afford to wait any longer.
HAJIRA HALEEM
Absor
Pakistan’s journey to Stone Age
I am a Virtual University student studying online, balancing remote work with firms in Chicago and Virginia while pursuing online courses in copywriting and freelancing. So that in future I can pursue my career in freelance copywriting.
I mention this to highlight how heavily an average Pakistani depends on the internet. While, countries like India and China, which gained independence around the same time as us, are reaching new heights of development, we are still struggling for something as basic as internet access. It’s a shame!
It’s disgraceful that, as a nation, we remain paralyzed, watching our decline in silence, while those in power—the monarchy in this so-called democratic state makes nation’s survival even harder. The Pakistani people are trapped in a paradox of love and despair, yearning for prosperity but hope feels distant.
This is more than just an inconvenience; it is a symbol of our decline as a nation. The time for action is long overdue, yet we remain numb, watching our country slip further into despair. My urge to policymakers is to prioritize the enhancement of essential services like internet access. It is time for decisive action to bridge the digital divide and foster the development our nation desperately needs
AAFIA JAVED
Karachi
