Top Stories
Anti-rape ordinance not included in Khuzdar boy’s rape and murder case
January 20th, 2021; By Asim Khan; QUETTA; Police claim that 6 y/o Ameer Hamza's autopsy did not confirm sexual assault; his family say that hours before he died, the boy had told them he was raped & set on fire.
Amendment bill seeks to expedite cases of women property rights
January 21th, 2021; By Rehan Piracha; LAHORE; An amendment bill seeking to set 60 days timeframe for civil courts to decide cases of women’s property rights has been passed by the Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice.
Women finally have say on water resource management in Sindh
January 19th, 2021; By Rehan Piracha; LAHORE; A landmark legislation will allow close to 92,000 women to become part of water resource management in Sindh, according to Rana Ansar, a provincial legislator from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement who proposed a bill for women participation in water governance structures in the province three years ago.
PM’s Advisor Moeed Yousaf says “Imran Khan wants 3G 4G services restored in all of former FATA, but there are risks”
January 21st, 2021; Bureau Report; LAHORE; “The PM understands the necessity of highspeed internet in the modern-age but his govt is trying to balance the “risks” involved," says PM's National Security advisor Yusaf Moeed.
PFUJ denounces Media Owners-Government Collusion
January 20th, 2021; Bureau Report; LAHORE; After three days of intensive discussions, the executive committee of the PFUJ has released a document outlining the hardships being faced by media workers in the country. The body has threatened the government with a protest campaign if it does not address these hardships.
Rights Watch
Rights Watch | 21st January 2021
Balochistan Home Minister assures ANP leaders of the government's efforts for the recovery of ANP Balochistan chapter information secretary Asad Khan Achakzai; Faisalabad girl who has been residing at a women's shelter since November was found to be three months pregnant as a result of sexual assault; FC soldier who gunned down Karachi University student Hayat Baloch last year has been awarded the death penalty by a district and sessions court
Rights Watch | 20th January 2021
IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah holds Prime Minister and federal cabinet responsible for enforced disappearances in the federal territory; Peshawar police arrest a man for sexually assaulting two minor boys in the past week; Lower Dir police constitute two teams for the recovery of missing 12-year-old Hina
Rights Watch | 19th January 2021
Some 400 public and private institutions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have formed inquiry committees under the purview of the province's workplace harassment laws; two suspects in case pertaining to alleged forced suicide of Dr. Maha refuse to submit DNA samples, stalling inquiry; two cousins have admitted to raping and murdering seven-year-old Momina Larik
Journalism for Human Rights in Pakistan. Most popular stories you must read today!
PFUJ denounces Media Owners-Government Collusion
January 20th, 2021; Bureau Report; LAHORE; After three days of intensive discussions, the executive committee of the PFUJ has released a document outlining the hardships being faced by media workers in the country. The body has threatened the government with a protest campaign if it does not address these hardships.
Anti-rape ordinance not included in Khuzdar boy’s rape and murder case
January 20th, 2021; By Asim Khan; QUETTA; Police claim that 6 y/o Ameer Hamza's autopsy did not confirm sexual assault; his family say that hours before he died, the boy had told them he was raped & set on fire.
Amendment bill seeks to expedite cases of women property rights
January 21th, 2021; By Rehan Piracha; LAHORE; An amendment bill seeking to set 60 days timeframe for civil courts to decide cases of women’s property rights has been passed by the Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice.
Women finally have say on water resource management in Sindh
January 19th, 2021; By Rehan Piracha; LAHORE; A landmark legislation will allow close to 92,000 women to become part of water resource management in Sindh, according to Rana Ansar, a provincial legislator from the Muttahida Qaumi Movement who proposed a bill for women participation in water governance structures in the province three years ago.
شمالی وزیرستان: سیکورٹی فورسز کے ہاتھوں پی ٹی ایم کے کارکن کاگھر تباہ
بیورو رپورٹ; لاہور; شمالی وزیرستان میں پی ٹی ایم کے مقامی رہنما کے گھر کے سیکورٹی فورسز کے ہاتھوں انہدام اور ایک بچے کی ہلاکت کے خللاف پی ٹی ایم کا پہیہ جام ہڑتال کا اعلان
محمود اچکزئی کی مینار پاکستان پر کی گئی تقریر نفرت انگیزی کی بجاۓ قومی ہم آہنگی کو فروغ دینے کی کوشش تھی: عدالت
بیورو رپورٹ; لاہور; لاہور کی ایک مقامی عدالت نے محمود اچکزئی کے خلاف نفرت انگیز تقریر کرنے کے الزام میں مقدمہ درج کرنے کی درخواست کومسترد کرتے ہوئے قرار دیا کہ تاریخی سچائیوں کی تلاش آزادی اظہار رائے کا لازمی جزو ہے اور مذکورہ تقریرتو قومی ہم آہنگی کو فروغ دینے کی کوشش تھی
Sindh high court reprimands government over non-recovery of missing persons
January 18th, 2021; Bureau Report; LAHORE; Sindh High Court (SHC) seeks reply from the federal government over the non-recovery of five citizens allegedly abducted by the state several years ago.
PFUJ conference highlights #EnoughIsEnough campaign
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalist (PFUJ) has launched a decisive movement for the resolution of issues faced by media workers in the country, setting a three-month deadline for the government to take tangible actions towards a framework that can provide physical, economic, and mental security to media persons, said Nasir Zaidi, the PFUJ’s Secretary General, as he read out a declaration.
Resolve journalists’ issues within 3 months, PFUJ tells govt
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) on Friday gave the government a three-month deadline to resolve the ongoing media crisis which has severely compromised the independence of media in the country.
SHC issues notice to Ali Zafar on artist’s Rs 500m defamation suit
January 14th, 2021; Bureau Report; LAHORE; The Sindh High Court has issued notice to singer Ali Zafar on a suit claiming Rs 500 million in damages for allegedly tarnishing the reputation of a female artist on social media.
Civil society calls for more use of renewable energy
January 13th, 2021; By Rehan Piracha; LAHORE; The Haqooq Khalaq Movement calls upon the government to increase use of renewable energy in order to cut reliance on imported fuel as well as control the impact of climate change.
How right-wing legislators block women-friendly legislation!
January 12th, 2021; By Rehan Piracha; LAHORE; Women activists questioned the secrecy surrounding the final draft of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Domestic Violence Bill that is set to be passed in the current season of the provincial assembly after a delay of seven years
COVID-19 WATCH
COVID Watch | 21st January 2021
Convalescent plasma therapy found ineffective in combating South African COVID-19 variant, raising concerns as to the efficacy of existing vaccines in protecting against this new strain; Oxford-AstraZeneca expected to cost Pakistan $6 to $7 per vial, however supply schedule unavailable as India is the sole manufacturer and supplier of the British vaccine in the region; government talks with Sinopharm and CanSinoBIO now at advanced levels
COVID Watch | 20th January 2021
HRCP calls on federal government to provide COVID-19 vaccines to low-income citizens at subsidized rate, terms inoculation of all citizens the government's responsibility; South African coronavirus variant 510Y.V2 found to be 50 percent more contagious than previous virus types; Sindh to raise Rs. 1.5 billion to procure AstraZeneca and Sinopharm vaccines
Journalism for Human Rights in Pakistan. Most popular stories you must read today!
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.
HRCP report on Karachi floods reveals number of reasons
December 24th, 2020; Bureau Report; LAHORE; On Wednesday the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) released an in-depth fact-finding report on the devastating urban floods that occurred in Karachi this year.
A silenced Meesha Battles Cases Amid Vilification Drive
December 23rd, 2020; By Rehan Piracha; LAHORE; Apart from the legal challenges, Meesha Shafi faced a targeted vilification campaign on social media, primarily to discredit her harassment claims, say women rights activists.
Noted columnist Irfan Husain passes away in England
December 16th, 2020; By Rehan Piracha; LAHORE; Friends and admirers pay tribute to noted columnist Irfan Hussain who passed away in England on Wednesday.
Big tech outlines objections to social media rules in new letter to PM
December 11th, 2020; By Rehan Piracha; LAHORE; In a new letter to Prime Minister Imran Khan, big technology firms have outlined their objections to the social media rules in the country, renewing calls for a credible consultation with the gove6rnment.
Gender based violence complaints have intensified in COVID
December 10th, 2020; By Rehan Piracha; LAHORE; Complaints related to domestic and online violence has intensified during the COVID period in the country, according to key findings of a report by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan presented at a webinar to mark Human Rights Day on December 10.
HIV/AIDS Awareness Month: Dispelling the myths
December 5th, 2020; By Asra Haque; LAHORE; For HIV/AIDS Awareness Month, voicepk.net sat down with an HIV positive patient, who shed light on the hurdles patients face in our oppressive society, and dispelled several myths surrounding the disease
Editorials
Is Nawaz’s battle cry for salvation or civilian supremacy
October 17th, 2020; By Munizae Jahangir; LAHORE; In an unprecedented first, Punjab’s most popular leader called out a sitting army head, Qamar Bajwa & ISI Chief General Faiz on meddling in politics, kidnapping journalists, & pressurizing the judiciary
Culture of Silence
Spotlight, the 2015 Academy Award winning motion picture, brought to global attention the Catholic Archdiocese of Boston sex abuse scandal of 2002. The film was based on factual events, showing how a group of reporters ...
News MakersPOPULARMost popular Videos you must view today!
The woman who could not be told ‘no’
Meet Farzana Siddique, the first woman Vice President in the 30 years-long history of the Faisalabad Press Club. As one of the few female crime reporters in the country, much less the province, Farzana has no qualms of shouldering the responsibility of also fighting for the rights of her fellow journalists in the third largest city of Pakistan. Watch our exclusive interview with the woman who could not be told "no".
In conversation with Muhammad Ali Durrani: Saving democracy through national dialogue
After a period of eight years, General Secretary of the PML-F and former Federal Minister for the Musharraf regime, Muhammad Ali Durrani has entered the political fray, paving the way for a grand national dialogue between the PTI, the Opposition, the judiciary, the people and - unsurprisingly - the military.
Fawad “Frodo” Hassan on marrying classical and contemporary music
Fawad Hassan - Frodo is ready to shake up the music world with his take on Eastern classical music infused with contemporary Western this new year.
HOT ARTICLESPOPULARRead Recent hot Articles by Voicepk.net
Feature Articles
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.
LHC bans virginity test countrywide
January 4th, 2021; By Rehan Piracha; LAHORE; In a historic judgment, the Lahore High Court on Monday banned the two-finger test and the hymen test of female rape victims across the country, declaring the procedures unscientific, discriminatory, illegal and unconstitutional.
جیلوں میں گنجائش سے زیادہ قیدی موجود، کورونا کا خطرہ بڑھ گیا: رپورٹ
وفاقی وزارت انسانی حقوق کی جانب سے جاری کردہ ایک رپورٹ میں انکشاف کیا گیا ہے کہ پاکستان کی جیلوں میں قید بہت سے قیدی اپنی زیادہ عمر اور خرابی صحت کی وجہ سے کورونا وائرس کا شکار ہونے کے خطرے سے دوچار ہیں.
Workers' Right
Resolve journalists’ issues within 3 months, PFUJ tells govt
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) on Friday gave the government a three-month deadline to resolve the ongoing media crisis which has severely compromised the independence of media in the country.
Civil society expresses outrage on Macch incident
The brutal incident at Machh and the lack of the response shown by the government has given the civil society much to be angry about. They denounced the lack of government writ and demanded protection for marginalised citizens like the Hazaras.
Mehar Sattar: Farmer not Terrorist
December 13, 2020; By Hamid Riaz; LAHORE; Mehar Sattar returned home this September after spending over 4 years in jail including almost 2 in solitary confinement.
Though his passion for helping the oppressed remains firm he still fears being dragged back to a cage.
“اگر گرفتاری کی ویڈیو نہ بناتا تو لاپتا افراد میں شامل ہوتا” ڈی جے بٹ
دو دن قبل اونچی آواز میں موسیقی سننے اور...
Press Releases
PFUJ denounces Media Owners-Government Collusion
January 20th, 2021; Bureau Report; LAHORE; After three days of intensive discussions, the executive committee of the PFUJ has released a document outlining the hardships being faced by media workers in the country. The body has threatened the government with a protest campaign if it does not address these hardships.
Pakistan among five most deadliest countries for journalists in 2020: RSF
50 journalists worldwide attacked and killed during 2020; Pakistan among top 5 worst countries.
Legal Issues
Anti-rape ordinance not included in Khuzdar boy’s rape and murder case
January 20th, 2021; By Asim Khan; QUETTA; Police claim that 6 y/o Ameer Hamza's autopsy did not confirm sexual assault; his family say that hours before he died, the boy had told them he was raped & set on fire.
Amendment bill seeks to expedite cases of women property rights
January 21th, 2021; By Rehan Piracha; LAHORE; An amendment bill seeking to set 60 days timeframe for civil courts to decide cases of women’s property rights has been passed by the Senate Standing Committee on Law and Justice.
محمود اچکزئی کی مینار پاکستان پر کی گئی تقریر نفرت انگیزی کی بجاۓ قومی ہم آہنگی کو فروغ دینے کی کوشش تھی: عدالت
بیورو رپورٹ; لاہور; لاہور کی ایک مقامی عدالت نے محمود اچکزئی کے خلاف نفرت انگیز تقریر کرنے کے الزام میں مقدمہ درج کرنے کی درخواست کومسترد کرتے ہوئے قرار دیا کہ تاریخی سچائیوں کی تلاش آزادی اظہار رائے کا لازمی جزو ہے اور مذکورہ تقریرتو قومی ہم آہنگی کو فروغ دینے کی کوشش تھی
PFUJ conference highlights #EnoughIsEnough campaign
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalist (PFUJ) has launched a decisive movement for the resolution of issues faced by media workers in the country, setting a three-month deadline for the government to take tangible actions towards a framework that can provide physical, economic, and mental security to media persons, said Nasir Zaidi, the PFUJ’s Secretary General, as he read out a declaration.
Resolve journalists’ issues within 3 months, PFUJ tells govt
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) on Friday gave the government a three-month deadline to resolve the ongoing media crisis which has severely compromised the independence of media in the country.
Freedom Of Expression
PFUJ denounces Media Owners-Government Collusion
January 20th, 2021; Bureau Report; LAHORE; After three days of intensive discussions, the executive committee of the PFUJ has released a document outlining the hardships being faced by media workers in the country. The body has threatened the government with a protest campaign if it does not address these hardships.
محمود اچکزئی کی مینار پاکستان پر کی گئی تقریر نفرت انگیزی کی بجاۓ قومی ہم آہنگی کو فروغ دینے کی کوشش تھی: عدالت
بیورو رپورٹ; لاہور; لاہور کی ایک مقامی عدالت نے محمود اچکزئی کے خلاف نفرت انگیز تقریر کرنے کے الزام میں مقدمہ درج کرنے کی درخواست کومسترد کرتے ہوئے قرار دیا کہ تاریخی سچائیوں کی تلاش آزادی اظہار رائے کا لازمی جزو ہے اور مذکورہ تقریرتو قومی ہم آہنگی کو فروغ دینے کی کوشش تھی
International Stories
Was there a lone survivor in the Machh incident?
January 9th, 2021; By Ahmad Saeed & Asim Ahmad Khan; QUETTA/LAHORE; By Ahmad Saeed; LAHORE; A statement by the Afghan Embassy revealed that a person named Rasul had survived the Mach Incident and is currently being held by the Balochistan Police.
Pakistan among five most deadliest countries for journalists in 2020: RSF
50 journalists worldwide attacked and killed during 2020; Pakistan among top 5 worst countries.
‘German sister’ gets top award for work on leprosy
Dr. Chris Schmotzer, has been awarded the top German civil award, Order of Merit, for outstanding contribution to the treatment of leprosy in Pakistan.
APS ATTACK: 6 years on, parents still await justice
“They are gone and can't come back," says one of the parents. "But we will strive till the end of our days to see that they get justice."
Most of the parents of the children martyred during APS massacre have not reached any closure even after the passage of six years. The only times where they have an opportunity for empathy, is when they all collect to remember their lost children. It is only them who can understand the depth of the grief that consumes them.
Judicial body for cross border prisoners’ rights must be revived
Human rights activists and experts while discussing the plight of Pakistani and Indian prisoners in either country's jails, have called for the revival of the joint judicial commission on prisoners.
South Asian rights activists decry attacks on civil society & media
December 9th, 2020; Bureau Report; LAHORE; In a webinar hosted by SAHR, Prominent rights activists from South Asian countries decry the use of power by state and non-state actors on civil society and press to quell the dissenting voices.
Silent coup against democracy underway in US, fears SAHR
South Asians for Human Rights (SAHR) has expressed concern over President Donald Trump’s refusal to accede defeat in the recent presidential elections, fearing the emergence of ‘copycat’ leaders who will now justify their authoritarian and unlawful moves with reference to the United States.
Sri Lanka must cease cremation of Muslims who die of COVID: SAHR
November 16th, 2020; Bureau Report; LAHORE; South Asians for Human Rights has expressed its concern over Sri Lankan authorities insisting on mandatory cremation for Muslims who die of or are suspected to have died of COVID, in violation of Islamic funeral practices.
