Pakistan’s Global Hunger Index ranking low
Welthungerhilfe and Concern Worldwide have listed Pakistan amongst the top 25 countries facing food insecurity, however noting some improvement in recent years.
According to the 2021 Global Hunger Index (GHI) report, presented at an event in Islamabad, Pakistan increased its position with a total score of 24.7 but remains at a ‘serious’ hunger level status.
Per the report, there has been a 23.7% decline in the country’s GHI index since 2000, with a notable increase in this decline since 2012.
Aisha Jamshed, Country Director of Welthungerhilfe, highlighted that the world was off track in fighting against hunger, and further away from the binding goal of ending hunger by 2030.
She also mentioned the United Nation’s alarm over increasing economic disparity, pointing out that 811 million people suffer from hunger globally while 41 million live on the brink of famine.
Peace jirga demands criminalizing enforced disappearances
The Pakhtun Qaumi Amn Jirga on Tuesday demanded that the government criminalize enforced disappearances and empower tribal institutions, during a meeting at the headquarters of the Awami National Party (ANP) in Bacha Khan Markaz.
Those in attendance included ANP’s leadership, PML-N provincial president and Advisor tot the Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs Amir Muqam, PPP leader Akhunzada Chittan, Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) chief Manzoor Pashteen, National Democratic Movement (NDM) leader Abdullah Nangial, Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) leader Inayatullah Khan, as well as the parents and teachers of the Army Public School (APS) students martyred in the 2014 militant attack.
ANP provincial president, Aimal Wali Khan, demanded the production of all missing persons in the courts and for greater powers of civilian tribal institutions.
The Amn Jirga also condemned FIRs against persons who they allege are peaceful protesters against the resurgence of militants in Swat, and demanded their withdrawal and a more responsible approach by law enforcement.
Aimal Wali Khan asserted that such police cases against peaceful protesters showcase how the state and militants are on the same page against the people. He further stated that the implementation of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Actions (in Aid of Civil Power) Ordinance 2019 had suspended the reach of the Constitution in the province, thereby resulting in an alarming increase in human rights violations.
Child sexual abuse on the rise in KP
According to documents presented by the Home and Tribal Affairs Department to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly on Tuesday, there has been a notable increase in child abuse and sexual assault cases in the past three years, irrespective of new legislation and awareness efforts.
A total of 120 cases of child abuse and sexual assault were reported in Peshawar while Dera Ismail Khan reported 127. Per the documents, 42 such cases were recorded in 2019 and 34 in 2020 in the provincial capital. Between 2019 and 2021, Nowshera, which is adjacent to Peshawar, recorded a total 84 cases, while Haripur reported 68, Abbottabad 62 and Mansehra 43 during the same period.
The report further revealed that at least 13 minors were murdered after sexual assault in the province.
In response to the data, the Provincial Government informed the Assembly that child and gender protection desks have been set up in different districts under the KP Child Protection and Welfare Act 2010. The government further stated that such desks will be established in other districts, and pictures of child abusers will be displayed in relevant police stations.
