Teacher Accused of Brutally Assaulting Student, Resulting in Suspension of School’s Registration
A schoolteacher in Korangi hit a student with a stick, causing fractures in his elbow and wrist, resulting in a complaint being filed with the police.
The father, Rizwan Zahoor, took the child to a hospital for treatment and then filed a First Information Report (FIR) against the teacher.
The Korangi police have launched a search for the teacher and the school’s registration has been suspended and fined by the Directorate of Inspection and Registration of Private Institutions.
The education minister of Sindh stated that violence against children in schools is illegal and will not be tolerated.
Death Row Blasphemy Convict Awaits Trial as Lawyers Refuse to Represent
Pakistan Supreme Court Seeks Lawyer for 20-Year Death Row Blasphemy Convict
Anwar Kenneth, former fisheries official, on death row for 20 years in a blasphemy case, is seeking a lawyer after five state lawyers recused themselves.
The Supreme Court has asked the Pakistan Bar Council to provide a counsel. Kenneth was arrested in 2001 for distributing a blasphemy pamphlet.
The Lahore High Court confirmed his death sentence in 2014. A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court will hear the case with a counsel present after four weeks.
Pakistan Launches First Women-Only Bus Service in Karachi
The first women-only bus service has launched in Karachi, with eight buses running from Malir to Tower at minimal cost. The service is free until February 7th and is equipped with female drivers and hostesses.
Each bus has a capacity of 50 seats, two of which are reserved for special women. The buses will run every 20 minutes from 7am to 11am and then from 4pm to 9pm, and every hour the rest of the time.
The transport minister, Sharjeel Memon, said that the service will be increased and extended to other parts of Karachi and Sindh. The Pink Bus Service was launched with support from Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
The service was welcomed by female politicians and celebrities who attended the launch ceremony at Frere Hall.
Election Commissioner Urges Women’s Participation in Elections
At a meeting of the Gender and Disability Electoral Working Group, K-P Election Commissioner Shamshad Khan stressed the need for civil society to support efforts to boost women’s voting.
The Commissioner praised stakeholders’ inputs and proposals and said the commission is working to increase participation from women and marginalized groups.
Deadly January in Pakistan with 134 Deaths, 254 Injuries in 44 Militant Attacks
Pakistan had a deadly January 2023 with 134 deaths and 254 injuries in 44 militant attacks, according to a report from the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies.
The deaths were a 139% increase from the previous month, with the worst affected being Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The police were the primary target of the militants in this region, with the southern districts of Bannu, Charsadda, and Swabi also being affected.
The tribal districts saw a decline in violence due to increased security operations, but Balochistan reported a decrease in militant attacks with only 9 attacks and 7 deaths in January. In Punjab, 4 attacks were reported and in Sindh, 2 low-profile attacks occurred, with one death reported.