Girl Raped In Okara
A mentally challenged girl from Okara’s 13-D village was raped by one Abdur Razzaq, alleged the girl’s father, Muhammad Abdullah. Per his complaint, the accused had broken into the victim’s home and proceeded to rape her. A case has been registered with the police.
Anti-Women Budget
The Faisalabad Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FWCCI) claim the federal budget is doomed for failure as it fails to take into consideration the economic value and participation of women, who comprise 52% of the population. With over half of Pakistan’s entire potential workforce sidelined, the federal government’s GDP target of 2.1% cannot be achieved, state FWCCI.
Women’s Bodies Denounce JUI-F
In a joint statement, women’s bodies such as the Women’s Action Forum (WAF), the Women Democratic Front (WDF), Aurat March, Girls at Dhabaas, the Feminist Collective and various others, denounced the JUI-F’s attempt to discredit and silence Sindh University academic and activist Dr. Arfana Mallah. The JUI-F’s harassment campaign was labelled an attack on not just dissenting voices, but on women, students movements, intelligentsia and rights movements. Meanwhile the Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC) have raised an alarm over the increase in harassment campaigns against rights activists in the province through false blasphemy allegations.
Education In Crisis
Students hold protest outside Higher Education Commission in Islamabad on Monday June 15 against mandatory online classes and exams despite lack of internet access for many students from far flung or rural areas. Students also alleged universities were unfairly charging them with library, laboratory, hostel and transport fees in addition to tuition fees despite the fact universities remain closed.
On the other hand, the Islamabad High Court dismissed a petition to reopen private schools. The petition termed the government’s decision to close schools a violation of people’s basic rights as teachers and staff are threatened by unemployment. However, Justice Athar Minallah rejected the plea, stating the courts do not have the authority to make executive decisions.
