Top Stories
Suspects held for gang-raping, filming teen in front of minor sister
July 23, 2021; By Zeenat Shehzadi; FAISALABAD; A 15-year-old girl has been gang-raped and filmed in front of her minor sister in Toba Tek Singh. Suspects held for gang-raping, filming teen in front of minor sister.
Activists, journalists, lawmakers slam PM’s remarks on women’s dresses
Women activists, journalists, lawmakers have reacted strongly to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s remarks that ‘women wearing very few clothes’ are a temptation that leads to sexual crimes in society.
Murdered or Died? Usman Kakar’s death gives rise to rumours
July 22nd, 2021; By Hamid Riaz, Ahmed Saeed & Hassan Raza; LAHORE/QUETTA; Senator Usman Kakar's demise has given birth to several rumors. His son Khushal Kakar is adamant that his father was murdered while PkMAP leaders & members of parliament have called for a thorough investigation into Khushal's allegations
‘PM atoning for his past youthful excesses’
June 23, 2021; By Rehan Piracha; LAHORE; Male activists and intellectuals have expressed their disapproval of the Prime Minister’s recent remarks linking how women dress in public with sexual crimes in society.
It’s Not the Dress, Its Your Mind
June 23: The Prime Minister has said too many times, that sexual assault is related to the clothes that a woman is wearing. what is the reason then, that so many children are raped everyday? Also it is deeply disturbing that the PM seems to be pushing an agenda of downright regression.
Rights Watch
Rights Watch | 21st June 2021
A man in Lodhran has been arrested for the suspected murder of his wife and then dumping her charred remains into a canal. Apparently, he had dismembered the woman’s body and then burnt it in an oven. For more stories on human rights abuses, keep reading.
Rights Watch | 15th June 2021
A resident of Jatli in Gujar Khan has been accused of raping a woman, blackmailing her into silence, and then inducing a forced abortion with the aid of his family, a lady doctor and several others. For more news on human rights abuses, keep reading.
Rights Watch | 14th June 2021
Police have registered a case against three brothers along with their accomplices for gunning down their sister and her husband, who married of their free will 18 months back, for so-called honour in Jaranwala tehsil. For more stories on human rights abuses, keep reading.
Journalism for Human Rights in Pakistan. Most popular stories you must read today!
Suspects held for gang-raping, filming teen in front of minor sister
July 23, 2021; By Zeenat Shehzadi; FAISALABAD; A 15-year-old girl has been gang-raped and filmed in front of her minor sister in Toba Tek Singh. Suspects held for gang-raping, filming teen in front of minor sister.
Activists, journalists, lawmakers slam PM’s remarks on women’s dresses
Women activists, journalists, lawmakers have reacted strongly to Prime Minister Imran Khan’s remarks that ‘women wearing very few clothes’ are a temptation that leads to sexual crimes in society.
Murdered or Died? Usman Kakar’s death gives rise to rumours
July 22nd, 2021; By Hamid Riaz, Ahmed Saeed & Hassan Raza; LAHORE/QUETTA; Senator Usman Kakar's demise has given birth to several rumors. His son Khushal Kakar is adamant that his father was murdered while PkMAP leaders & members of parliament have called for a thorough investigation into Khushal's allegations
Report demands probe in journalists murder: involvement of MQM, Mirpurkhas police suspected
Press freedom watchdogs have called upon the authorities to explore the suspected involvement of Mirpurkhas police and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) in the 2007 murder of journalist Zubair Mujahid
مطالبات پورے نہ ہوۓ تو اقوام متحدہ تک جائیں گئے: گل عالم وزیر
جولائی ١٦ ٢٠٢١; تحریر: فرزانہ علی; پشاور; بنوں کے علاقے جانی خیل میں قبائلی رہنما ملک نصیب خان وزیر کے قتل کے خلاف دھرنا سترہ روز سے جاری ہے. قبائل سربراہ ڈاکٹر گل عالم وزیر کا کہنا ہے کہ انتظامیہ معاملے کے حل میں سنجیدہ نہیں اس لئے اب وہ اسلام آباد کی طرف مارچ کریں گے
A minor is raped, but Faisalabad’s police shows ‘criminal indifference’
June 15th, 2021; A 15-year-old Christian boy from Fsd was abducted & raped for 5 days. The family has accused Saddar police of delaying filing rape offences in the FIR.
Man seen thrashing wife in viral video arrested
June 14th, 2021; Staff Report; LAHORE; Usman Arshad, who was seen beating his wife in front of their minor children in a viral video, was arrested on Sunday. The woman's family claims Usman is using his influence to escape charges
Bill on enforced disappearances may take 4 months for vetting
July 15th, 2021; By Rehan Piracha; LAHORE; The NA’s standing committee on Interior may take 3 to 4 months to vet a bill that means to criminalise enforced disappearances in the country
LANDMINES: Pakistan’s War On Terror Has Left Terror Behind
June 14th, 2021; By Farooq Mehsud; S.WAZIRISTAN; On June 1, 3 children from S.Waziristan were killed in a mine blast. Several people from the region face the danger whereas the govt has only responded with empty promises & outright apathy.
Looking back on the Bahria town violence
June 13th, 2021; By Sher-e-Azam; KARACHI; The authorities have lodged 18 different cases and arrested almost 150 people including leaders of nationalist and civil society organizations in relation to the attack on Bahria Town Karachi on June 6th.Voicepk.net looks back on the violent episode to explain what actually happened on that day.
Understanding the Elections (Amendment) Bill 2020
June 14th, 2021
By Rehan Piracha; LAHORE; The Elections (Amendment) Bill passed in the NA proposes 49 amendments in the election laws that range from delimitation on basis of voters instead of population, de-seating of a member if he/she fails to take oath within 60 days; voting right for overseas Pakistanis and use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in elections.
LANDMINES: Pakistan’s War on Terror has Left Terror Behind
July 12th, 2021; By Farooq Mehsud; SOUTH WAZIRISTAN; On the June 1, three children from S.Waziristan were killed in a mine blast. Their story is common. Several people from the region face the danger whereas the govt has only responded with empty promises & outright apathy.
COVID-19 WATCH
COVID Watch | 31st March 2021
28 million AstraZeneca vaccine doses manufactured by India under the WHO's COVAX programme have yet to leave the country due to India’s new export restrictions owing to a surge in national cases. For more stories on the pandemic situation, keep reading.
COVID Watch | 30th March 2021
The NCOC revealed on Monday that 26 cities of Punjab, Peshawar and Azad Kashmir reported a case positivity rate of over 8%. Meanwhile 100 patients reportedly succumbed to the novel coronavirus disease. An overall positivity rate of 8.83% was recorded with 4,084 fresh infections. For more, keep reading.
Journalism for Human Rights in Pakistan. Most popular stories you must read today!
A right to education, without discrimination
April 27th, 2021; By Suneel Malik; LAHORE; "The matter of religious inclusivity in the SNC has been presented in public as a religious issue in order to create confusion and generate controversy, despite the fact that in actuality it deals with the curricula, and its provisions relating to basic human rights protected under the Constitution," writes Suneel Malik.
“Cancel your protest or else,” Punjab police tells detained farmers’ leader
February 9th, 2021; By Hamid Riaz; LAHORE; Farmers’ Leader, Chaudhry Anwar was detained inside a police van in Lahore for 12 hrs. Senior police officials threatened him with severe consequences if he fails to call off a farmers’ protest scheduled for the end of this month.
ATC grants police custody of social activist Muhammad Ismail for 3 days
February 3rd, 2021; By Hamid Riaz; LAHORE; An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Peshawar granted to police, three-day physical custody of arrested social activist Professor Muhammad Ismail, a focal person of the Pakistan NGOs Forum. Yesterday the ATC had rejected Prof. Ismail’s pre-arrest bail plea in a “terror financing case” registered against him by the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) following which he was handcuffed and taken into custody by the CTD from the court’s premise.
Carrying on the legacy of the courageous Asma Jahangir
January 27th, 2021; By Ahmed Saeed; LAHORE; The Asma Jahangir Legal Aid Cell continues the legacy of upholding principles of human rights and the rule of law of its late founder Asma Jahangir as the nation marked the sixty-ninth birth anniversary of the human rights icon.
Allegedly abducted by the police over 2 months ago, the whereabouts of a Sanghar villager remains unknown
January 24th, 2021; By Hamid Riaz; LAHORE; Sanghar resident Abdul Sattar Awan has been missing for over 2 months. In a petition filed before the Sindh High Court his brother claims that Sattar was abducted by the police.
Police has failed to produce Sattar despite High Court's orders.
Women lawmakers agree on increasing marriage age for girls in Punjab
January 14th, 2021; By Ahmed Saeed; LAHORE; Lawmakers from both sides of the Punjab Assembly have joined hands to end the menace of child marriages by increasing the age of marriage to 18 years for girls in Punjab and make CNICs a mandatory document to solemnize the marriage.
A “Judicial Crusade” against ‘ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES’
January 13th, 2021; Staff Reporter; LAHORE; Summons, fines & threat of arrests in 2021 has seen a series of actions taken by the higher courts against the govt's inability to recover victims of enforced disappearance.
IHC hears petition seeking ban on Netflix
January 6th, 2021; By Hamid Riaz; LAHORE; In a petition filed before the IHC petitioner, Tariq Asad asserts that if Netflix fails to remove the 'sacrilegious' movie the website should be banned in the country altogether- much like the Youtube Ban of 2012.
Life in the Time of COVID
The year has ended but COVID is still around. Will dealing with an uncertain future be the new normal in 2021? Voicepk.net brings to you the stories of five working women from across Pakistan, who have lost their livelihood due to the global pandemic, but not their strength.
Editorials
It’s Not the Dress, Its Your Mind
June 23: The Prime Minister has said too many times, that sexual assault is related to the clothes that a woman is wearing. what is the reason then, that so many children are raped everyday? Also it is deeply disturbing that the PM seems to be pushing an agenda of downright regression.
Protecting those Invisible Workers
While the battle for workers’ rights continues, even though it is late, the new law passed for the Islamabad territory is a step in the right direction.
News MakersPOPULARMost popular Videos you must view today!
I did not contest the elections to win, but to fight back, says Jugnu Moshin
July 16, 2021; By Hamid Riaz & Hassan Raza; LAHORE; Jugnu Mohsin discusses her journey as a politician, the recent attack on her, and her views on the gender divide in politics in an exclusive interview with Voicepk.net
‘Will face court proceedings but won’t compromise on my stance’: Hamid Mir
June 4th, 2021; By Ahmed Saeed; LAHORE; Despite a sudden ban on him, Hamid Mir has ruled out stepping back from his stance demanding protection for journalists. He dispels that he insulted the army or its troops, and counters the allegations against him. Our exclusive interview with him.
“We will not give up”: Palestinian human rights lawyer Raji Sourani
May 19th, 2021; By Munizae Jahangir; LAHORE/GAZA; "The Israelis cannot ask to be good victims. We cannot compromise on our blood. We will keep fighting for our dignity," says Gaza resident & rights lawyer Raji Sourani in an exclusive interview with Munizae Jahangir.
HOT ARTICLESPOPULARRead Recent hot Articles by Voicepk.net
Feature Articles
Christian couple narrates how their 13-year-old daughter fell prey to forced conversion and marriage
A Christian couple in Gujranwala narrates the trauma of their 13-year-old daughter’s alleged forced conversion and marriage with a middle-aged married man already a father of five.
A right to education, without discrimination
April 27th, 2021; By Suneel Malik; LAHORE; "The matter of religious inclusivity in the SNC has been presented in public as a religious issue in order to create confusion and generate controversy, despite the fact that in actuality it deals with the curricula, and its provisions relating to basic human rights protected under the Constitution," writes Suneel Malik.
The TTP Timeline in Balochistan
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has been flexing its muscles for a long time in Balochistan now. Historically speaking the TTP has always operated in the tribal areas in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa (KP) especially along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border area. But now, their presence in Balochistan has gained a strong foothold.
Workers' Right
Bill bars domestic workers below 16 years of age in Islamabad
May 20th, 2021; By Rehan Piracha; LAHORE; Minors below the age of 16 years have been barred from being employed as domestic helpers and household servants in the federal capital, according to Islamabad Capital Territory Domestic Worker Bill 2021 passed by the National Assembly on May 18.
Rs20,000 minimum wage based on 14% hike in inflation: official
May 6th, 2021; By Rehan Piracha; LAHORE; The Punjab government has announced raising minimum monthly wage to 20,000 but labour rights activists point out that lack of implementation mechanism has left out millions of workers being paid the bare minimum under the law.
Sysiphus Wept: Labouring away to Oblivion
May 1st, 2021; By Asra Haque, Hamid Riaz & Hassan Raza; LAHORE, CHUNGI AMAR SADHU; On International Workers Day, Voicepk.net brings you the stories of four women of the slums of the second largest city of Pakistan, Lahore.
I lost three sons, says father of Shangla slain miners
April 15th, 2021; By Umar Bacha; SHANGLA; Voicepk.net narrates the tragedy of Wazeer Rehman, whose three sons were among the 16 Shangla missing coalminers.
Press Releases
Lawyers convention resolves to resist attacks on media and judiciary
The All Pakistan Lawyers Convention on Assault on Judiciary and Media was held on Thursday under the auspices of the SCBA in partnership with the PBC, the HRCP, the PFUJ, AGHS and SAFMA. The convention unanimously resolved to resist persistent attacks on the media and the judiciary by a hybrid authoritarian regime and its above-the-law perpetrators.
SAHR demands inquiry into deaths of five Sri Lankan men at hands of police
June 14th, 2021; On behalf of South Asians for Human Rights; SRI LANKA; In a strongly-worded letter, international rights SAHR has called on the Sir Lankan Govt to carry out an impartial inquiry into the police for the extra-judicial killing & deaths by negligence of 5 men
Legal Issues
Lawyers demand end of assault on media, judiciary
June 21: In all Pakistan lawyers’ convention on "Assault on Judiciary and Media", senior lawyers and bar leadership have called for stopping attacks on journalists and ending interference in civil matters by military and intelligence agencies.
Understanding the Elections (Amendment) Bill 2020
June 14th, 2021
By Rehan Piracha; LAHORE; The Elections (Amendment) Bill passed in the NA proposes 49 amendments in the election laws that range from delimitation on basis of voters instead of population, de-seating of a member if he/she fails to take oath within 60 days; voting right for overseas Pakistanis and use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) in elections.
‘Right of appeal to Kulbashan is not an NRO’
June 11th, 2021; By Ahmed Saeed; LAHORE; Senior lawyer Salman Akram Raja says it is nonsense to term the Kulbhushan Jadhav specific bill an NRO. He adds that the bill was necessary to comply with international obligations otherwise Pakistan could have faced legal repercussions
Death row murder convict acquitted after 8 years in jail
After spending eight years in jail, the LHC has acquitted a Christian convict on death row for murder by giving him the benefit of doubt. AGHS represented Gulfam Masih as part of its free legal aid services to destitute and vulnerable prisoners.
Ali Wazir’s bail application rejected after prolonged delay
June 1st, 2021; By Hamid Riaz; LAHORE; "I still can't understand why the announcement of the verdict was delayed so much. By now we could have moved the SC. But instead the judgement was delayed unnecessarily prolonging the MNA's incarnation," says Qadir, Ali Wazir's lawyer.
Freedom Of Expression
Press In Chains: journalists decry muzzling of media
June 21: In their fiery and passionate speeches at lawyers’ convention arranged by the Supreme Court Bar Association, senior journalists have decried the attacks on the media in the country.
Lawyers demand end of assault on media, judiciary
June 21: In all Pakistan lawyers’ convention on "Assault on Judiciary and Media", senior lawyers and bar leadership have called for stopping attacks on journalists and ending interference in civil matters by military and intelligence agencies.
International Stories
SAHR demands inquiry into deaths of five Sri Lankan men at hands of police
June 14th, 2021; On behalf of South Asians for Human Rights; SRI LANKA; In a strongly-worded letter, international rights SAHR has called on the Sir Lankan Govt to carry out an impartial inquiry into the police for the extra-judicial killing & deaths by negligence of 5 men
SAHR condemns arrest of Bangledeshi journalist, demands immediate release
May 22, 2021; By Ahmed Saeed; LAHORE; South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR) has expressed concerns over the arrest of senior Bangladeshi journalist, Rozina Islam, under the draconian Official Secrets Act. She has been reporting on corruption in the health sector for the past month
Political and civil society organizations mark Black Day for Palestine
May 21st, 2021; By VoicePk Staff; LAHORE; Political parties and civil society organisations held demonstrations in Lahore on Friday to mark Black Day for Palestine, condemning the Israeli aggression in Gaza and West Bank.
“We will not give up”: Palestinian human rights lawyer Raji Sourani
May 19th, 2021; By Munizae Jahangir; LAHORE/GAZA; "The Israelis cannot ask to be good victims. We cannot compromise on our blood. We will keep fighting for our dignity," says Gaza resident & rights lawyer Raji Sourani in an exclusive interview with Munizae Jahangir.
We will fight till our last breath: Palestinian students
May 18th, 2021; By Hamid Riaz, Ahmed Saeed & Hassan Raza; LAHORE; Along with the killing of innocent children, West Bank and Gaza now presents a picture of bombed houses, severed communication links and closed borders, say Palestinian students at a demonstration against the Israeli aggression in Lahore.
US calls for cessation of Israel-Palestine hostilities
May 18th, 2021; By Asra Haque; LAHORE; As US President Joe Biden finally joins the call for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the Un General Assembly announces a meeting to discuss the Palestinian question.
The UN report hailed as a weapon for the Palestinians
May 18th, 2021; By Rehan Piracha; LAHORE; Voicepk.net revisits key recommendations of the UN report praised as 'a kind of weapon for the Palestinians' to try Israel for war crimes committed in West Bank and Gaza. Late Pakistani human rights icon Asma Jahangir was one of the members of the UN mission tasked with investigating Israeli settlements in the Palestinian territories in 2012.
Religious freedom and Pakistan’s GSP Plus status
May 17th, 2021; By Suneel Malik; LAHORE; Although, the adoption of the EP’s resolution does not entail an automatic revocation to Pakistan’s GSP+ status, it is still important to assess what may be the cost to losing such a trade concession with EU.
