Of Railways and Labour Rights: The Untold Story of Pakistan’s Porters
In the subcontinent, railway stations are identified by their iconic red-uniformed porters – commonly referred to as “coolies” – who rush to greet trains and vie for the chance to...
Pakistan: A Paradoxical Divinity
The 4 January 2016 marked five years since the Punjab governor Salman Taseer was killed by a member of his own security detail in a popular market in Pakistan’s capital...
Resilience and Security in Cities: Lessons from Karachi and Medellín
The recently adopted United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set the new global development agenda for the next 15 years. Significant among these are SDG 11 and SDG 16. SDG...
Nothing Right about Children’s Rights in Pakistan
The first week of August 2015 has been witness to what is being called Pakistan’s ‘biggest child abuse scandal’– the horrific news of almost 300 children, systematically abused, coerced to...
A Human Rights Perspective of the Supreme Court Verdict on the Basic Structure Doctrine
In a recent verdict by the Supreme Court of Pakistan (“SCP”), the constitutionality of, inter alia, the 21st amendment—whereby the Federal Government can transfer the trial of certain terrorism-related offences...
Asia Bibi’s “Unfair Trial”
The week before last, the Pakistani Supreme Court admitted Asia bibi’s appeal against her conviction and death sentence for blasphemy under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code. Even if...
Pakistan’s New Cyber Law Puts Civil Liberties and Freedom of Expression in Danger
On April 16, in Pakistan, the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information and Technology approved the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Bill 2015. Procedural safeguards and fundamental principles of law have...
Violence against Women in Pakistan – Between Law and Reality
The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap 2014 report places Pakistan as the second lowest performing country in the world in terms of gender equality. In Pakistan’s rural areas instances...
Blasphemy Laws and Human Rights in Pakistan
Notorious blasphemy laws have a significant impact on minority communities in Pakistan. Particularly their right to life, freedom of speech and freedom of religion as enshrined in Pakistan’s constitution and...
The Plight of Indo-Pak Fishermen and the Need to Appreciate Economic Rights
The recent decision of the Pakistan Government to release 57 boats of arrested Indian fishermen is a welcome move. India should replicate the same. However, hundreds of boats are still...
