Pakistan: Horrific Violence Against Women Continues – 4,514 Cases in First Half of 2009 – “Honor Killings,” Acid Attacks, Other Violence Rampant

— The News: “4,514 incidents come to light in first half of 2009”
— “Presenting the report findings, Arifa Mazhar said among the total violence cases, 691 were cases of murder, 293 cases of honour killing, 1,046 cases of abduction, 332 cases of domestic violence, 388 cases of suicide and 466 cases of rape and gang rape. There were 1,086 cases of miscellaneous nature, which included ‘vanni’, ‘swara’, custodial violence, torture, trafficking, child marriages, incest, threat to violence, attempted murder, and sexual harassment.”
— “Indicating that the tradition is still alive in our society, the list also includes 37 most horrific cases of stove burning. Research shows that major motives behind stove burning are demand of dowry and divorce and other domestic conflicts. Around 27 cases of acid throwing were also reported in the first half of the year, with 21 of them occurring in Punjab.”
— “Arifa said out of the total 3,067 incidents of violence in Punjab, there were 901 cases of abduction and kidnapping, 393 of murder, 119 of honour killing, 412 of rape and gang rape, 253 of suicide, 129 of sexual assault, 24 of stove burning, and 21 cases of acid throwing.”
— “In Sindh, out of the total 835 incidents, there were 132 cases of honour killing, 135 of murder, 79 of abduction and kidnapping, 103 of suicide, 19 of rape and gang rape, 75 of domestic violence, 18 of sexual assault, eight of stove burning and six cases of acid throwing.”

Pakistan: Report warns of Pakistan’s younger generation losing faith in democracy

Pakistan: Report warns of Pakistan’s younger generation losing faith in democracy
— “Only a third believe democracy is the best system of governance, one third support sharia law, while 7% think dictatorship is a good idea.”

British Council – Pakistan web site — Download “Pakistan – The Next Generation” report

Pakistan wasting demographic dividend: British Council report

Pakistan a leading player in imposing blasphemy law on globe through UNHRC: Nazir Bhatti

Pakistan a leading player in imposing blasphemy law on globe through UNHRC: Nazir Bhatti
Pakistan Christian Post reports: “Dr. Nazir S Bhatti, President of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC expressed reservations on UNHRC Resolution A/HRC/12/L.14/Rev.1 subject to “Religion Defamation” presented by Zamir Akram, a Pakistani representative of Organization of Islamic Conference OIC on behalf of Egypt and USA, the cosponsors of resolution because it will promote blasphemy law around globe.”

See also:

UNHRC: Egypt-U.S. Resolution Concerns Rights Activists Supporting Freedom to Challenge Religious Views

U.S. Religious Freedom Commission Testimony that U.N. “Religious Defamation” Resolutions Leading to “Global Blasphemy Law”

repeal_blasphemy_laws

Pakistan: 59 Christians Released from Jail Due to Petition Efforts of “Life for All”

— Assist News Service reports – “Some 59 Christians Are Released From Jails in Pakistan”
— “There are still more than 2,500 Christians in jails all over Pakistan who cannot afford the legal assistance for their release”
— “On Friday, November 13, 2009, the sun came up with new hopes in the lives of 59 Christians in Pakistan after the Pakistani-based Christian organization, “Life for All,” had made a determined effort to give these people their lives back.”
— “The imprisoned Christians, who have been in various jails in Pakistan, got the welcome news of their freedom after hard work made by Mr. Rizwan Paul, President “Life for All,” who had presented a petition to Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, President of Pakistan, for the pardon of these Christians who he stated had been ‘falsely accused of minor crimes.’ ”
— “The President reviewed the petition and approved the release of the prisoners who had been accused of minor crimes, and he vowed to review the release of other prisoners after reviewing the nature of their crimes.”

August 13, 2009: ” ‘Life for All’ demands repeal of Blasphemy laws in Black Day protest”

Pakistan: Asia News Report on Pakistan Blasphemy Law

Pakistan: Asia News Report on Pakistan Blasphemy Law

R.E.A.L. reports on blasphemy law

— See Also: Peshawar High Court to hear petition against Non-Shariah sections of Nizam -e-Adl
— “The Peshawar High Court Divisional Bench would be reviewing the petition of local government association against the non-Shariah section 7 of Nizam-e-Adl”

Pakistan: Taliban kill two female teachers in Bajaur

Pakistan: Taliban kill two female teachers in Bajaur
— Pakistan Daily Times:
“Two female schoolteachers were killed on Wednesday when the Taliban ambushed their car in Shandai Mor, two kilometres from Khar in Bajaur Agency. Shazia Begum and Shamim Bibi, teachers at the Communal Girls School, were travelling from the school when terrorists fired on the vehicle, killing the two and injuring two others.”

Pakistan fashion week defies Taliban with non-Islamic dress

(Pakistan) Karachi: Pakistan fashion week defies Taliban with non-Islamic dress

Daily Telegraph reports:

Sonya Battla, the first designer to show, presented a collection that she said celebrated strong women. She dismissed the fact that in more conservative parts of the country, her designs might get women driven out of town or stoned to death.

“I’m a very brave woman,” said the 38-year-old designer. “I’m not going to be scared and no one’s going to judge me.”

Taliban militants have killed more than 300 in the past month in a bloody campaign of bombings and assassinations. Attacks on markets, universities, the army general headquarters in Rawalpindi and police stations in Lahore show the Taliban can reach seemingly ever corner of the country.

But the fashion world was determined to stage its shows.

“Life has to go on,” said Samar Mehdi, 35, another young designer who studied fashion at Bristol University. “And this is a way to tell the people want our lives to stop that ‘No, we won’t let you.'”

The shows were held at the Marriott Hotel in Pakistan’s financial capital under strict security. The event – originally scheduled for October – planned to introduce designers and models from abroad, but the fragile security situation has left organisers counting on local talent.

 A model presents a creation by Pakistani designer Aiesha Varsey during the Pakistan Fashion Week in Karachi on November 4, 2009. Pakistan's fashion week began on November 4 with an opulent opening ceremony, against a backdrop of militant violence and secu  Photo: AFP
A model presents a creation by Pakistani designer Aiesha Varsey during the Pakistan Fashion Week in Karachi on November 4, 2009. Pakistan's fashion week began on November 4 with an opulent opening ceremony, against a backdrop of militant violence and secu Photo: AFP