Peshawar court summons SHO for failing to register FIR against Aurat March organizers
A Peshawar additional and sessions court on Thursday, April 1, summoned the station house officer (SHO) of the East Cantonment police station to provide an explanation for his failure to register a case against Aurat March organizers for making derogatory remarks about the Holy Prophet and other personalities and hurting religious sentiments during a rally on March 8.
Local lawyers including advocate Ibrar Hussain petitioned the court to initiate contempt proceedings against the SHO for failing to act on an earlier order of the judge to register an FIR against the women’s march organizers. The petitioners stated that the East Cantt police had expressed their reluctance when approached to register the case.
Aurat March and Aurat Azadi March organizers and supporters have vehemently denied all accusations and provided proof that all videos and images purported to be evidence of blasphemous and derogatory remarks were doctored.
Pakistan ranks among countries with worst gender equality
The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2021 has ranked Pakistan 153 of 156 countries in terms of gender parity, making it among the four worst nations for equality between the sexes, outperforming Afghanistan, Yemen and Iraq.
Pakistan performed poorly in three of four sub-indexes as well, placing at 153 in health and survival, 152 in economic participation and opportunity and 144 in educational attainment, while doing nominally better in political empowerment by placing 98. This year, Pakistan’s gender gap index increased by 0.7% to 55.6%.
Khawaja Sira tortured, killed in Lahore
A 40-year-old khawaja sira identified as Bobby was found dead in her home in Shafiqabad, Lahore, on Tuesday, March 30. According to police, they had received a call from a resident of Bobby’s neighbourhood and upon reaching found her dead. Police suspect foul play as the body bore torture marks. A case has been registered while the body has been sent to a morgue for an autopsy.