Thursday, March 22, 2018
#Pakistan - Use of colonial-era laws against #Pashtun protesters condemned
Rights watchdogs, leftist parties urge the government to address grievances of the protesters instead of silencing them.
As mainstream political parties remain silent over the issue, the registration of police cases against leaders of the Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement has been criticised by rights activists and smaller progressive parties.
On Wednesday, the Human Rights Watch issued a strong reminder to the government that the right of peaceful assembly was guaranteed in Pakistan’s constitution, urging the government to drop police cases.
Speaking to Daily Times, HRW Pakistan representative Saroop Ijaz said, “The use of criminal cases to deal with political grievances is neither justified nor a sound strategy.”
Instead, he said, the government should hear the protesters and work towards finding a solution to their grievances. “The Pashtuns of FATA have displayed unflinching loyalty to the Pakistani state and they deserve to be engaged with and not blocked under colonial era criminal provisions. The acknowledgement of diverse voices will make Pakistan stronger.”
In its statement, the Awami Workers Party said the protesters were just using their inalienable right to freedom of assembly. “Instead of addressing to their grievances, the government is silencing them.”
The cases registered with SHOs as complainants in Zhob and Qila Saifullah accuse the PTM leaders, including 24-year-old Manzoor Pashteen, of violating sections 153 (provoking with the intent to cause riot) and 153a (causing enmity among groups).
When contacted, Zhob SHO said the cases were registered on directives from police higher ups. Asked what prompted the use of the two sections of the penal code, he said, “agencies and the GHQ were targeted in the speeches.”
Genesis of Sections 153 and 153-A:
Commenting on the legal history of the two sections, Advocate Umer Gillani said, “Section 153A is a broadly worded colonial era legislation with a sordid history of being used by the state against dissident political leadership. In 1957, a Pakistan court actually convicted a person no less eminent than Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan under this section.”
Gillani said the only saving grace in the section was that it allowed for fair criticism of past injustices by the government. “This provision is in line with the spirit of Article 19 of our Constitution which promises freedom of speech to all citizens,” he added.
“A holistic reading of our Constitution tells us that citizens have a right to dissect past injustices committed against various groups by state officials as well as to preach and propagate political course correction. This is a fundamental right, and I hope the courts will not allow it to be trumped by a disjointed and draconian interpretation of Section 153-A of our penal code.”
#Pakistan - #PPP - Begum Nusrat Bhutto: Nishan-e-Pakistan
By Bashir Riaz
Late Begum Nusrat Bhutto, the wife of late Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, was an iron lady who stood against the undemocratic forces in Pakistan. She staunchly faced the tyrannical rule of the late military dictator General Ziaul Haq with utmost bravado.
Despite house arrests, physical and emotional attacks on her by the government, she persisted in her struggle to raise the flag of democracy in the country. Her unwavering courage proved to be a source of inspiration for the workers of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).
In her lifetime, Begum Nusrat Bhutto was awarded the highest civilian award for a democratic struggle against dictatorship. She enjoyed tremendous respect not only among party workers but also in the top national political circles. She gained that respect due to her kind heart and love for the people of Pakistan.
The honour to meet Begum Nusrat was bestowed on me by her husband Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who introduced me as a friend. It was indeed a proud and happy moment of my life. Ever since our first meeting, Begum Nusrat always treated me with kindness.
In her public life, she led her people by example and gave them a clear message that there would be no compromise on the struggle for democracy even if it meant writing history with their blood. Fortunately, history has not forgotten the dark times of dictatorship where she stood up as a beacon of light for democracy in the country.
The strength of Begum Nusrat’s resolve could be gauged from the fact that her message managed to travel from one generation to another. Her children continued her struggle against dictatorship, and today her grandson Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is fighting for a democratic system in Pakistan.
After she lost her husband to dictatorship, Begum Nusrat took charge of PPP as its chairperson and continued her struggle against martial law. The undemocratic forces were so terrified of this strong-willed lady that they tried to put out the spark that burned brightly for democracy through tactics involving arrests and jail terms for party workers. But state authorities were proved wrong as Begum Nusrat kept the party flag high. After the incident where she was assaulted with batons by police at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, a photograph of a wounded Begum Nusrat was published in all the newspapers of Pakistan, which unmasked the ugly face of dictatorship.
When such tactics proved futile, the state resorted to emotional and mental torture by targeting Begum Nusrat’s children. Her daughter was put under house arrest and denied medical assistance. She was treated inhumanely in Sukkar jail and was kept away from her mother. The resolve of the Bhutto ladies shook the dictator and made him paranoid.
Proving his cowardice, General Zia postponed the elections scheduled on October 16, 1979. The Musawat newspaper, which was the voice of PPP, was also shut down.
During this time, Begum Nusrat also faced separation from both her sons, Mir Murtaza Bhutto and Shahnawaz Bhutto. Despite all the difficulties, she dashed the hopes of Ziaul Haq to continue running the country with an iron hand.
Begum Bhutto was diagnosed with lung cancer during her long detention and the regime tried to seize the opportunity of taking revenge on its opponents by denying her aid. However, due to national and international pressure, she was allowed to go outside Pakistan for the sake of her health and treatment. On November 22, 1982, Begum Nusrat Bhutto reached Munich in Germany. Her health was very frail and she was accompanied by her sister as caretaker. Even though she was extremely ill, she addressed party workers who had come from all corners of Europe to see her.
Begum Nusrat Bhutto was born on March 23, 1928, and passed away on October 23, 2011.
#Pakistan - #PPP - Bilawal, sisters Bakhtawar and Aseefa buy PSL final tickets
Like every cricket enthusiasts, Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and his sisters Bakhtawar Bhutto Zardari and Aseefa Bhutto Zardari will be watching Pakistan Super League (PSL) final at National Stadium Karachi on March 25.
According to sources, Bilawal, Aseefa and Bakhtawar have bought tickets Rs 12000 each for VIP enclosures to enjoy the match.
The much-awaited PSL third edition final will be played between Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi on Sunday, March 25.
Strict security measures have been adopted for the PSL final.
Sources further said Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, provincial ministers Nasir Shah and Jam Khan Shoro have also purchased the tickets for PSL final.
It may be noted here that Fazal Mahmood, Javed Miandad, Hanif Mohammad enclosure tickets were available at Rs 12000 each.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/295581-bilawal-sisters-bakhtawar-and-aseefa-buy-psl-final-tickets
PPP's Sherry Rehman becomes first female Senate opposition leader
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Sherry Rehman was appointed as the Leader of Opposition in the Senate on Thursday making her the first female to be given the post in Pakistan's Senate.
A notification was issued by the Senate Secretariat in this regard on the directives of the chairman.
On March 14, the PPP nominated Rehman for the post of Senate opposition leader. Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf had nominated party leader Azam Swati for the position of opposition leader in Senate.
At the time, PPP chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari had said the party was making history by nominating the first woman to lead the opposition.
Sherry Rehman thanked PPP leadership and opposition parties that reposed confidence in her.
Thank you to my party leadership, Chairman @BBhuttoZardari,Pres Zardari and Opposition parties that reposed confidence in me. Thank u to colleagues from FATA and Balochistan, as well as ANP and BNP(M) who have supported all the way. I look forward to working with all opposition
A senior figure in the PPP, Rehman served as the editor of Herald for over a decade before making a foray into politics. She was elected to the national assembly in 2002 and was re-elected in 2008, and served as the federal minister for information and broadcasting.
She also served as Pakistan’s Ambassador to the US (2011-13) and was elected to the Senate in 2015.
First woman opposition leader in the senate. #PPP #WeMakeHistory congratulations @sherryrehman twitter.com/sherryrehman/s…
Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari congratulated Rehman for becoming the first woman opposition leader in the upper house of the parliament.
Wednesday, March 21, 2018
#Pakistan - Army chief's 'doctrine' for change is a reflection of the establishment's thinking
MYTHS are often woven around men in power. Now we hear about a ‘Bajwa doctrine’ — a term used by some media circles and, indeed, by the ISPR chief himself in an interview with a TV channel. Going by this so-called doctrine, it would seem that the army chief has a grand vision about everything — from critical political problems to the economy and foreign policy. Should we be surprised? Not really. Didn’t we witness similar wisdom being attributed to previous army chiefs?
But the virtues ascribed to Gen Qamar Bajwa make him appear head and shoulder above his predecessors; a messiah the country has long been waiting for. If media circles are to be believed, the so-called doctrine promises to bring about a revolutionary change in foreign policy, making a clean break from the ‘chauvinistic’ approach of the past 70 years. This is quite amazing.
According to this ‘doctrine’, the general envisions better relations with neighbouring countries and balance in dealing with world powers. Violent extremism is certainly not acceptable but the mainstreaming of tamed jihadists is important under the perceived doctrine.
The truth is that the general was reflecting the thinking of his institution.
While being portrayed as ‘pro democracy’ and a staunch supporter of the rule of law, the general appears unhappy about the way our political system works, lamenting the 18th Amendment in the Constitution that, he believes, has turned the country into a confederation. His greatest concern appears to be economic policy mismanagement that is seen as having brought Pakistan to the brink of bankruptcy. Lavish infrastructural projects such as motorways and metro buses, that bear the stamp of the PML-N government, are perceived as a massive drain on the economy as is the Benazir Income Support Programme.
Indeed, in a recent interaction with a group of journalists, the army chief did articulate all that which is is now being hailed as a grand ‘doctrine’ for change. The truth is that the general was reflecting the thinking of his institution — that must not be projected as his own vision. One may agree with his (or rather the army’s) identification of the problems we face, but the solutions to critical political and economic issues are overly simplistic. Successive military rulers seized power on the pretext of turning things around and fixing problems but they ended up leaving the country in the same mess if not worse. Similarly, while there may be little doubt regarding the expressed intentions, the views enunciated on the political situation, economy and other issues have exposed the widening cleavage between the elected civilian government and the security establishment that has strengthened multiple power centres.
While generals do not seek to take over power, some feel that is the easiest thing to do in a crisis situation. They do not want to give a free hand to elected civilians either. Distrust of politicians remains palpable, though there is no reason to doubt that the general elections will be held. But if recent elections for Senate chairmanship are an indicator, there’s no way Nawaz Sharif and his cohorts will be allowed space in the future political power structure. The long shadow of the military, in a nexus with the judiciary, will hover over the emerging political setup. It is apparent that most of the country’s law-enforcement and investigative agencies are already operating under the watch of the security establishment.
What is most alarming, however, is the military’s adverse view of the 18th Amendment. The landmark legislation that has lent greater autonomy to the provinces was passed unanimously by parliament with all major political parties on board. Indeed, some provinces have experienced capacity problems in the discharge of their responsibilities. But that can be resolved in due process.
More importantly, the amendment has strengthened the federation and removed a perpetual source of friction between the centre and the provinces. The unitary form of government and concentration of power at the centre had created serious anomalies particularly for the smaller provinces. Indeed, there is a need for a unified education system in the country and for streamlining provincial laws. But any attempt to strike down the amendment — that could only be through unconstitutional means — would be disastrous.
True, the economy is in bad shape, and former finance minister Ishaq Dar, now implicated in graft charges, was largely responsible for financial mismanagement. The crisis has been brewing for a while, made worse by the deterioration of foreign exchange reserves. And yet, the situation is not irreversible.
The so-called Bajwa doctrine cannot provide an instant solution to the crisis. The economy is critical to national security but equally important is the continuation of the democratic process, however flawed. Economic progress is also linked to political stability. And military rule, too, does not have any enviable economic record. It is evident that foreign and national security policies have largely remained within the security establishment’s domain. One cannot agree more with Gen Bajwa’s words that there is a need for improving ties with our neighbours. It is also true that a significant breakthrough has been made in ties with Afghanistan. But our foreign policy challenges are enormous. Most stem from our skewed security-centric policy for which the military leadership is largely to be blamed. It is the era of geo-economics, and to have a dynamic foreign policy it is imperative we focus more on widening trade and economic relations with neighbouring countries including India.
Indeed, we have done well to fight militancy and restore the state’s writ in the tribal areas, but there is still no clear strategy to deal with violent religious extremism that presents an existentialist threat.
More must be done to bridge the gap between the civil and military leadership on key foreign policy issues rather than presenting an alternative ‘doctrine’ on wide-ranging domestic and foreign policy issues. Unfortunately, we don’t have a national narrative on anything. The so-called Bajwa doctrine then is more institutional thinking than one man’s views.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari vows to foil attempts by PML-N government to sell PIA and PSM
Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has vowed to foil the attempts by PML-N government to sell national carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and country’s largest industrial mega-corporation complex Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM) and asked government to shelve privatization of these state units forthwith.
PPP Chairman was presiding over a meeting of the Party leaders at Bilawal House on Wednesday. Those attended the meeting included PPP Sindh President Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, General Secretary Waqar Mehdi, former Senate Chairman Mian Raza Rabbani, PPP Karachi Division President and Provincial Minister Saeed Ghani and Information Minister Syed Nasir Shah.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari said that PIA and PSM are owned by the people of Pakistan, who won’t allow to put these national assets under the hammer in a dubious manner through “buy one and get one free” Package.
He further said that it was height of dishonesty that a Prime Minister who is running his private airline in profits and capturing the market and routes of national carrier was adamant to sell out PIA. Likewise, Nawaz Sharif and his family were running his personal steel mills in big profit at home and abroad were deliberately dragging Pakistan Steel Mills to the verge collapse to form their personal steel cartel.
PPP Chairman asked the PPP leaders to raise voice against the so-called privatization of both PIA and PSM at every forum and expressed complete solidarity with employees of these state corporations.
Good friends... - Saudi Arabia has little regard for the rights of Pakistani citizens.
PAKISTAN curates its foreign service with great care. Only the brightest are invited to undergo the vigorous training to shape them to represent the country and its interests all around the world. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan has 114 missions across the globe. We also take our presence in the UN seriously — forcefully lobbying to gain a seat at the UN Human Rights Council in 2017. We appeared for three UN reviews last year, each time better prepared than we had been at the one before.
Pakistan must take pride in its diplomatic prowess. It is a hard-earned seat at the table, cultivated over decades and since 9/11 in a less-than-welcoming environment. We’ve had our enemies. To counter them, we have built some friendships over the years.
According to our foreign policy, Saudi Arabia is one such friend. There’s even a treaty of friendship to mark it.
And make no mistake, Pakistan has been a good friend. We helped free the Grand Mosque in Makkah in 1979. We stationed military forces in the kingdom during the Iran-Iraq war.
We trained their forces, and in return, Saudi Arabia granted us direct financial aid. We received oil at a reduced price, and sometimes, even for free. We were able to withstand US sanctions following our nuclear tests because Riyadh came to our rescue.
Saudi Arabia has little regard for the rights of Pakistani citizens.
Four years ago, a ‘gift’ of $1.5 billion was made in good faith to the Pakistani leadership. Bilateral trade between the two countries is currently at $2.5bn. Over two million Pakistanis live in the kingdom, remitting a whopping $4.83bn just last year.
But with countries, where there is friendship, there is also self-interest. The cornerstone of diplomacy is the quid pro quo. And as parliamentarian Shireen Mazari pointed out, when it comes to Saudi Arabia, Pakistan can be slow to collect theirs. While Pakistan categorises Saudi Arabia as its top ally, the latter has little regard for the rights and lives of the citizens of the former.
Justice Project Pakistan and Human Rights Watch released Caught in a Web, research documenting the treatment of Pakistani prisoners in the Saudi criminal justice system. Trials marked by rampant due process violations have led to the executions of at least 66 Pakistanis; 2,795 Pakistanis languish in jails, subject to abuse and poor jail conditions.
The highest number of foreign nationals executed in the kingdom have been Pakistanis, who are treated worse than any other nationality. How your citizens are treated is a much better mark of your diplomatic relations than the grand receptions officials receive.
Diplomatic prowess is best measured in situations involving difficult conversations. This is one that our leadership is long overdue to have with its Saudi counterpart.
In October 2015, India’s foreign minister Sushma Swaraj condemned the attack on an Indian domestic worker by her Saudi employer who chopped her arm off. The Indian embassy immediately took note of the incident, and extended her consular and legal help to pursue charges against her employer. Swaraj tweeted that an Indian citizen being subject to this brutality was ‘unacceptable’ and diplomats from the embassy took it up with the highest authorities. Pakistani officials seldom, if ever, visit their citizens in Saudi jails. In 2014, Sri Lanka had Saudi Arabia sign a labour deal that sought to protect the rights of 500,000 of its citizens working in the kingdom after a 24-year-old maid was beheaded. The Sri Lankan embassy also has a 24-hour hotline where distressed workers can call for help. Many detained Pakistanis and their families are not even sure which government agency to reach out to in the same situation.
The Filipino government regularly intervenes on behalf of their overseas workers. A 2011 government inquiry on behalf of the Committee on Overseas Workers’ Affairs found that there is “no doubt” that their diplomatic staff actively monitor developments in death-row cases involving their citizens. “Saudi lawyers are engaged, Saudi authorities are lobbied, efforts are made to negotiate monetary settlements with the kin of the victims, whether these relatives are located in Saudi Arabia or in the Philippines.”
A consular protection policy is the need of the hour. Pakistan must negotiate a prisoner transfer agreement with Saudi Arabia, and tap into its community welfare funds to come to the aid of prisoners on death row by securing them lawyers, and help bring exculpatory evidence to Saudi courts.
Helping prisoners in Saudi Arabia isn’t impossible. And for a country that since 1967 has reportedly trained over 8,200 Saudi armed forces personnel, it should not be a tall ask that its citizens be accorded their right to fair trial, consular access, and legal representation. After all, what good is a friendship that cannot withstand a confrontation?
Asma Ikhlaq - Young Pashto poet pledges to use her talent for women's rights
SHER ALAM SHINWARI
Asma Ikhlaq says that the taboo that Pakhtun women shouldn't express themselves through poetry should be broken.
As literati around the globe are celebrating World Poetry Day, a young Pashto poet from Malakand named Asma Ikhlas reaffirms her pledge to continue raising her voice for the rights of Pakhtun women.
Poets and writers across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata have planned various events to mark the day. Unfortunately, one of the taboos in traditional Pakhtun society is that women are not encouraged to make use of their inborn talent, not even in front of family members and close relatives.
The young poet says that her maternal uncles and elder bothers will take time to approve of her talent. She says that the taboo that Pakhtun women shouldn't express themselves through poetry should be broken.
The young poet wants to publish her maiden poetry collection having ghazals and poems on variety of topics, particularly women rights, loss of culture and freedom of expression. She is the recipient of the award of best moderator at university and hardly any literary event goes on the campus without her being the most outspoken young bard.
Asma Ikhlas wants to set up a school for girls in her village
“I want to serve my people through my talent. I wish I could play a positive role as social activist in making village girls aware of their due rights. My themes in poetry are varied as my tastes. Zaitoon Bano, Prof Salma Shaheen, Zeba Afridi, Kulsoomzeb and Haseena Gul Tanha are sources of inspiration for me,” says Asma.
She considers poetry a powerful vehicle to express human emotions, feelings and thoughts in a befitting manner. She is an active member of several literary organisations including Malakand Adabi Tolana for Women and Da Khwendy Adabi Lakhkar, Peshawar.
“Poetry will be a good and effective forum for women to share their views. I regret that a few male organisers invite me for moderating literary events but don’t bring their own women to attend such gatherings. Pakhtun women writers played a great role despite resistance and (adversity) in the past for a social change,” she says.
Born with a natural penchant for Pashto poetry, Ms Ikhlas turned to composing couplets in her early childhood but would keep her diary only to herself for fear of her family. The clouds of darkness further engulfed her when after passing 10th grade, she was confined to her home as no girls’ college was located in vicinity of her village Palai.
For two years, she continued versifying the pal of pitch darkness around her and a day came in her life when she dared whisper one of her long poems titled Da Bewasa Paighle Awaaz (The voice of a helpless young virgin) to her mother. She recalls that her mother suggested a phone call to be made to Prof Abaseen Yousafzai for resolving her problem. “It worked and Mr Yousafzai came to our home, talked to my father and helped me save my future from being ruined. I passed my intermediate examination as a private candidate with Pashto as career subject. Now I am doing my BS Pashto from Islamia College University,” she narrates.
Ms Ikhlas was invited to Nishtar Hall to recite her poetry in front of a big crowd way back in 2015. It proved a milestone as she was encouraged to participate in a poetry competition held at Ghani Bagh in Peshawar’s Hayatabad. It earned her a cash award of Rs12,750 and a commendation certificate. Her father, a retired police officer, supported her and she became an instant university celebrity because of her bold expression and captivating style.
Ms Ikhlas claims she is the first girl in her entire village to make it to university. She says that after completing her studies, she will open an institute in her village to educate girls on many social issues including women rights.
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
NAVROZ MUBARAK Happy Nowruz 2018! How is the Persian New Year celebrated and what is Haft-Seen?
Nowruz, or Navroz, is celebrated by hundreds of thousands of people across the world on March 20, but just what does this special day signify?
ON March 20, hundreds of thousands of people across the world will be welcoming in the Persian New Year and celebrating the first day of spring in a festival called “Nowruz” or “Navroz”.
Several countries mark this day as a national holiday. Here’s the lowdown on this exciting traditional celebration.
What is Nowruz?
Nowruz, or Navroz, is the Persian New Year and the traditional festival marking the beginning of spring.
The day is believed to promote peace, solidarity, reconciliation and neighbourliness, and is designed to be filled with good food, new clothes and quality time with loved ones.
The festival is observed in Middle Eastern, and Central and South Asian communities.
The traditions associated with it date back around 3,500 years ago.
Navroz was officially registered on the UNESCO List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009 and is celebrated on March 20, the day of the equinox.
How do people prepare for Nowruz?
In the weeks leading up to the New Year, homes are thoroughly cleaned (much like a spring clean, in essence) and all broken items are repaired or replaced.
New clothes are worn and indulgent meals are prepared to be shared with loved ones and friends alike.
The day is spent by visiting friends and relatives, exchanging festive greetings, gifts and good wishes.
What is the Haft-Seen?
Haft-Seen is a table-top arrangement of seven symbolic items traditionally displayed to mark the New Year and the first day of spring.
The seven items all begin with the letter S - the primary items are:
- Sabzeh – a wheat plant as a symbol of greenery, nature and exhilaration. Some say it symbolises wealth and love too.
- Samanu – a sweet pudding made from wheat germ symbolising power and bravery
- Senjed – dried Persian olives symbolising wisdom
- Seer – garlic to symbolise stimulation and contentment
- Seeb – an apple to symbolise health
- Somāq– sumac berries to symbolise patience and tolerance
- Serkeh – vinegar symbolises disinfection or cleanliness
The table will also include a coin, to represent wealth, a mirror to symbolise light, candles for children and family, and often a religious text.
How do people greet each other for the New Year?
Generally, those celebrating will greet and wish each other with the term “Navroz Mubarak”, or “Happy Navroz”.
Kisses on cheeks are exchanged, along with warm embraces and the exchange of sweets.
It is also seen as a day of renewal and for old grudges to be cast aside, with the hand of friendship put forward.
Pakistan grapples with epidemic of child rape cases, in a society where sex education is taboo
By ZULFIQAR ALI
Ashfaq Ahmad would never have talked about sex with his three children, least of all his daughters, who are 5 and 3. In his socially conservative Pashtun community near the border with Afghanistan, the topic is taboo.
But Ahmad had grown worried for his children's safety, particularly after stories of killings and sexual abuse of minors began appearing almost nightly on Pakistani news channels. In January, the nation was transfixed by the case of a 6-year-old girl who was found raped and left for dead in a dumpster in a town in Punjab province.
Then Ahmad, a marketing manager, saw a video clip of Indian movie star Aamir Khan, who is popular in Pakistan, educating a group of children on a TV show about inappropriate touching. The years-old clip, which was making the rounds on Pakistani social media, persuaded Ahmad and his wife to sit down with each of their children, including their 8-year-old son.
"I told them if a stranger touches your body parts, you start crying and tell mama, papa or your grandfather too," Ahmad said.
A spate of child sexual abuse cases has torn apart Pakistani families and prompted a flood of anger at politicians and law enforcement officials for failing to curb a long-standing menace. It has also forced many Pakistanis to explore ways of broaching a topic that has long been thought too sensitive to discuss.
While sex education is not taught in public or private schools, education officials in the two largest provinces recently introduced chapters on child protection in government textbooks. But officials are skirting the issue of sex to avoid offending parents and religious groups. Textbooks in Sindh and Punjab provinces now include verses from the Koran, the Muslim holy book, and sayings of the prophet Muhammad that refer to keeping children safe — without explicitly mentioning sexual abuse or body parts.
Allah Bakhsh Malik, the secretary of the provincial education department in Punjab, said the government had designed the classroom materials in collaboration with religious scholars, advocacy groups and UNICEF, for students in both primary and secondary schools. The state Curriculum and Textbook Board prepared free supplementary material to sensitize parents and teachers.
One passage, addressed to parents, reads: "Keep a vigilant eye on people in contact with children, including close relatives, as sometimes trustworthy people could inflict harm on them." Another, quoting Muhammad, says: "That person is not among us who does not show pity toward children and extend respect to elders."
Imran Taker, a child rights activist in Peshawar, praised Punjab for taking a positive step.
"I think it should be extended to other provinces too," Taker said. But resistance in more conservative places is fierce.
In the northern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which includes Peshawar, Education Minister Muhammad Atif said the provincial government has started to explore how to include such material in the curriculum for boys and girls ages 5 and up. "But the government will not include material in textbooks that is in conflict with our culture and tradition," Atif said.
Khwaja Yawar Naseer, director of a private elementary school in Peshawar, disagreed with teaching sex education.
"We organized a workshop for students and told them to start crying if anyone except their parents touched their sensitive parts of body," Naseer said. "But it is very risky to discuss sex education in classrooms. It is unacceptable in our society."
Fazal ur Rahim Marwat, a former head of the provincial textbook board in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, said children needed more awareness of sexual abuse but argued that it should be taught in an indirect way, using moral education and enlisting parents and community leaders, not just teachers.
"We have a conservative society and such topics can't be discussed at the school level," he said.
The child protection advocacy group Sahil says that millions of Pakistani children are vulnerable to abuse, often from relatives and educators. In July, a principal was arrested on multiple counts of sexual offenses, including forcing female students to engage in sexual activity at school and capturing the acts on cellphones and hidden cameras. He is currently on trial.
In 2016, Sahil documented 4,139 cases of child sexual abuse nationwide — roughly 11 a day, and an increase of 10% from the year before. The group says that while media coverage of the problem has encouraged more victims to come forward, few cases result in convictions because of a lack of investigative capacity among police.
Mamtaz Gohar, a spokesman for Sahil, said the organization was providing free legal aid to 209 families of child abuse victims.
"This is an alarming situation," Gohar said. "Our office in Islamabad" — Pakistan's capital — "monitored 120 child abuse cases in the 15 days after the Zainab Ansari case."
He was referring to the 6-year-old girl in Punjab whose rape and killing sparked deadly riots in the city of Kasur, where 12 children were raped within one year. Investigators took DNA samples from dozens of people and faced intense pressure from government officials to find the culprit before arresting a 23-year-old religious singer, Imran Ali, who eventually confessed to killing Zainab and seven other children.
He was convicted by a court that normally hears terrorism cases and sentenced to death.
The weeks since Zainab's killing brought more cases. A 4-year-old girl was abused and killed in the town of Mardan, near Peshawar, her body recovered from a sugarcane field near her house. Police arrested three people, including a 15-year-old relative of the girl, on the basis of DNA evidence.
In early March, a man gunned down his three teenage nieces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after they reported to police that their father had raped one of them. Police arrested both men.
But Gohar said that despite the number of high-profile cases, most perpetrators of child abuse go unpunished.
"The conviction rate in child abuse is very low," Gohar said. "Most of the victims' families either avoid registering cases or settle out of court."
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