Day: February 14, 2012

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan People’s Party MNA Ms Farah Naz Isphani has filed an adjournment motion in the National Assembly Secretariat, seeking immediate debate on the recent shocking cases that have rocked the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) in recent months with several faculty and staff members accused of preying upon vulnerable female students or juniors.

Ms Isphani filed the adjournment motion under Rule 92 of Rules of Business of the National Assembly and highlighted the seedy and dubious affair with the World Women’s Day where the daughters and sisters of the nation from all castes, creeds and backgrounds have been abused and exploited which is totally unacceptable and must be condemned by all.

The PPP MNA sought immediate suspension of the routine proceedings of the National Assembly to investigate all what have been reported in media about the seedy affairs and exploitation of the female students allegedly at the hands of the staff and seniors at the university campus. It was recently reported in section of press, which had drawn the attention of the MP and she has filed an adjournment motion to seek the intervention of the National Assembly toward this issue of urgent nature.

Following is the text of the adjournment motion filed by Ms Farah Naz Isphani: “Today, on the occasion of Women’s Day, we, the undersigned, file the following adjournment motion under Rule 92 of the Rules of Business of the National Assembly of Pakistan:

The recent shocking cases that have rocked the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI) in recent months, with several faculty and staff members accused of preying upon vulnerable female students or juniors. That our daughters and sisters and young women of Pakistan from all castes creeds and backgrounds have been abused and pressurized in this way is unacceptable and must be condemned. These cases demonstrate that males in superior and in fact guardian-like positions abused their power over these young female students and therefore created fear among citizens and set the democratic transition towards equality for women back in immeasurable ways.

An immediate suspension of regular house business is called for and these cases must be investigated, thoroughly and impartially, and the perpetrators – regardless of who they are – must be brought under the purview of the law. This is a matter of grave concern for the protection of public interest. It is entirely of recent occurrence, and requires immediate discussion on the floor of the House by suspending all other business.”

Source: The Nation

The concerns of Baloch women can only be resolved if the province’s issues are addressed, said civil society members, journalists and human rights activists on Sunday.

KARACHI: The concerns of Baloch women can only be resolved if the province’s issues are addressed, said civil society members, journalists and human rights activists on Sunday.

They were speaking at a conference held to express solidarity for the Baloch people by the Joint Action Committee of non-profit organisations and Karachi Press Club on the National Women’s Day.

The Aurat Foundation resident director, Mehnaz Rehman, said that the missing persons issue and target killings have taken a toll on the Baloch women too, both physically and mentally.

A letter written by Baloch women was read out by researcher, Nazish Brohi. It described them being constantly fearful for their and their families’ lives.

The letter said that they were also afraid of the Frontier Constabulary. The women expressed their desire to go to universities and learn, instead of attending funerals and mournings.

Brohi said that the issue of Balochistan and its women is one and the same. “We can’t separate the issue of Baloch women from the province’s situation because they have to live and die there.”

Dr Jaffar Ahmed, the Karachi University’s Pakistan Study Centre Director, shared his disappointment on the lack of effort by the political parties in this matter. “We expected that democratic government would take positive steps and initiatives regarding Balochistan,” he said. “But unfortunately, Balochistan does not even get a fair mention.” The government should not think that they will succeed in Balochistan by force, he added.

Jan Muhammad Boledai of the National Party said that women’s condition in the tribal environment of Balochistan was depressing. Earlier, they fought for their rights, but now they also worry about the danger to the lives of their family. “Only a woman can understand the feelings of a mother whose sees her son’s decomposed body after seeing him being kidnapped in front of her.” Condemning the previous course of actions, he said that the government should realise that using force and torturing people is not a solution.

The former federal law minister and human rights activist, Iqbal Haider, in a rousing speech, accused the security agencies and the present government of creating turmoil. He raised the question of why there were anti-state sentiments among the Baloch people, demanding that the government give reasons as why it is so. “If you are brutal with the people, then they will obviously try to divide the state,” he said. “It is shameful that Pakistan’s flag is not hung in Balochistan on March 23, except at the Governor House.”

Source: The Express Tribune

LONDON: A young, deaf Pakistani woman says she was only 10 years old when she was trafficked into Britain where she was repeatedly raped and beaten for nearly a decade.

The woman, now in her 20s, on Monday told a court that she was kept in a cellar and forced to work as a slave. A Pakistani couple – 83-year-old Ilyas Ashar and his wife, 66-year-old Tallat Ashar – are accused of false imprisonment, human trafficking, sexual offenses, violence and benefit fraud. Both have pleaded not guilty to the charges. The woman, who can’t be identified for legal reasons, said she was brought from Pakistan to work as a domestic servant in Manchester. It is unclear why Britain’s Home Office permitted the couple to bring the girl.

Source: Daily Times

SUKKUR: A man killed his wife and her alleged paramour in Jacobabad on Sunday night.

Ghulam Hyder Abro, a retired policeman, surrendered at the Civil Lines police station after committing the double murder.

He told police that as he entered his house, he saw a stranger sitting with his wife Hidayat Khatoon. Abro said that he shot both of them dead to protect his honour, and added that he felt no remorse.

The deceased man was identified as Dur Mohammad Rind.

Police took the bodies to the civil hospital for post-mortem after which relatives of Dur Mohammad took his body to his native village Gulab Mari for burial.

Source: Dawn