Day: April 22, 2013

One wonders what sort of feeling towards humanity those have, who can inflict harm, indeed even kill, their own children, nieces and nephews, and what one can hope for a society made up of such people. On April 17, a case was filed near Rahim Yar Khan against a man, for allegedly strangling his niece to death because she eloped with a man. The charge has not as yet been proven, but is easy to believe given the number of honour killings in the country, with a Human Rights Commission of Pakistan report published earlier this month, saying that over 900 females, including almost 100 minors were killed for “honour” last year. We condemn the militants, and rightly so, for targeted killings and mass murders, but at times, it seems that it is no wonder that their recruits come from among just these people whose sense of “honour” propels them to kill brutally and wantonly in its name.

In yet another case, in Sadiqabad, a man has been accused of killing his sister on suspicion of having an affair. In a particularly brutal killing, he allegedly hit his sister several times with a butcher’s cleaver. In both cases, the police are looking for the alleged culprits who appear to have disappeared. That these men should be caught, and if found guilty put on trial, be severely punished, indeed be made an example out of, cannot be stressed enough. Notions of false honour have prevailed in society for far too long, and are yet another way of perpetuating the feelings of insecurity in people, as well as curtailing their basic freedoms, such as whom to wed. Furthermore, the panchayats usually set up to deliver verdicts on the charged, act as parallel courts and undermine the country’s judicial system. It is only the implementation of strong laws against honour killings and a decisive effort to educate the people that can put an end to this. Until this happens, tribal customs and false notions of honour will prevail, undermining humanity, as well as the state, which ultimately is responsible for the security of its citizens.

Source: The Express Tribune

PESHAWAR: Being an integral part of society, women shoulder great responsibilities in bringing to the fore real leadership for the country by exercising their right to vote, said Maulana Jehanzeb of the National Research and Development Foundation (NRDF) on Sunday.

Addressing a press conference here, he said consultation of women in the day-to-day affairs and seeking their advice is according to the Islamic injunctions. “Islam does not bar women from taking part in the state and governance affairs and Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) always gave weight to the advice of women,” he argued. Giving the examples of Hazrat Khadija, Hazrat Ayesha and others, the Maulana said they had taken active part in the state affairs and offered suggestions, which were accommodated. He said the Ulema in Pakistan, including Mufti Taqqi Usmani, have supported women’s participation in voting.

He appealed the women to exercise their right to vote and cast their votes so that honest and fair leadership could be elected in the upcoming polls. Flanked by Maulana Azizullah, Maulana Jehanzeb said that under the platform of NRDF, they have launched an awareness campaign about women’s participation in voting.

Source: The News

SUKKUR: Two married women were sacrificed at the altar of ‘honour’ by suspecting close relatives in different villages in Ghotki and Jacobabad districts on Sunday.

In Hazaro Bullo village near Ghotki, one Sikandar Bullo shot dead his son’s wife, Ms Humran Bullo, over suspicions she had developed illicit relations with someone else in the area.

He escaped from the village after committing the crime. Area police shifted the body to Ghotki civil hospital from where it was handed over to relatives after post mortem.

In Moula Bux Brohi village in Jacobabad district, one Shah Murad Khoso killed his wife Ms Hazaran Khatoon, 21, with the help of his brother Gul Bahar Khoso over suspicions she had an extramarital affair. They fled after the murder.

The area police shifted the body to Jacobabad civil hospital from where it was handed over to relatives after post mortem.

Police later registered an FIR on a complaint lodged by Abdul Karim Khoso, father of the deceased woman, against Shah Murad and Gul Bahar but no arrest was made till the filing of this report.

Two gunned down over land dispute

One Zuhroo Mahar opened fire on his brother, Qabool Mahar, and his nephew, More Mahar, in Khuda Bux Mahar village near Ghotki on Sunday over a dispute over a piece of land and fled.

Police shifted the bodies to Ghotki civil hospital for post mortem. The bodies were later handed over to relatives of the deceased.

Police said the motive for the double murder was a running dispute between both brothers over a piece of land.

Tribal clash

Two people were killed while three others, including a woman, injured in a clash between two groups of the Gopang community near here on Sunday, PPI adds.

The clash started at the village of Hashim Gopang when the two groups opened firing on each other with sophisticated weapons.

The dead were identified as Hatim Ali Gopang and Sajjad Ali Gopang while the injured were Ms Gulan Gopnag, wife of Samander Khan, and two others.

The bodies and injured were brought to the taluka hospital Tharimirwah where condition of Ms Gulan was stated critical.

Police said the cause of clash was an old enmity.

Source: Dawn