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From Maududi to Aafia
She’s being called the “daughter of the nation” who needs to be rescued from the fanged jaws of the Americans. Her name is Dr. Aafia Siddiqui. Pakistani TV channels and drawing-rooms are buzzing with...
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It’s hard being a man
I'm often informed what tragically difficult lives women lead, from being genetically forced to bear children to cultural pressure. Now, this has begun to really annoy me. Men get it, it's not cake...
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Logging on to empower women
For a society to progress, human rights have to be guaranteed, with the assurance that rights are maintained without gender bias or discrimination. Gender-based violence reflects and reinforces...
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Flogging the truth
Much has been said about the report claiming that the infamous video showing a girl being flogged by the Taliban in Swat is fake. I remember being outraged by the incident and the claims of Taliban...
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A case for irony
Some friends and I were recently arguing over which trait can be termed quintessentially Pakistani. Suspicion, volunteered one, pointing to our endemic regard for conspiracy theories. Cynicism,...
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Her silent jihad
It is a matter of great national pride when your country tops headlines in the international news media. But Pakistanis only seem to make the news for actions that leave their compatriots blowing down...
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A woman’s plight
“Please, could you ask Sahib to give me the next month’s salary in advance?” Fatima, a housemaid from rural Punjab who works in my father’s house back in Karachi, asked me. This conversation took place...
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Colours of hope in Tharparkar
Travelling to Tharparkar for the first time, I experience excitement and nervousness in anticipation. My friend, a fellow journalist, had forewarned me that “Tharparkar is not for everyone. Not...
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Just another day
“Women’s Day!” my very nice, very Pakistani male friend snorts. “Why in the world do you need a Women’s Day? Every day is women’s day in this country.” Oh really? I already know what’s going to follow...
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Voicing our concern
"Do you think celebrating one day as Women's Day can really help us solve our problems?" This was one of the questions I was recently asked in an interview regarding International Women's Day. It is a...
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