Militant group Lashkar-e-Islam (LI) in Pakistan’s Khyber agency has asked residents to enrol at least one of their sons to madrassas run by LI or pay large fines. Zofeen T. Ebrahim reports
Pakistan: “The end of pluralism and choice”
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CATEGORY: Pakistan
Boko Haram: “If it can happen in Nigeria, it can happen here in Pakistan”
More than three weeks after the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls from the northern Nigerian town of Chibok by Boko Haram (BH), an Islamist militant group, the world is finally awake to the tragedy. Zofeen Ebrahim reports
Rashid Rehman: “Courage in the face of threats and harassment”
Early last month when human rights lawyer Rashid Rehman, from Multan, in Punjab province, was threatened that he would not be present at the next hearing as he would not be alive, it was no idle threat. Zofeen Ebrahim reports on the latest assassination to rock Pakistan
Naming and shaming: 8 countries egregiously violating religious freedom
The U.S. State Department names and shames eight “Countries of Particular Concern” that severely violate religious freedom rights within their borders. Now an independent watchdog is naming and shaming the State Department, saying its list should be doubled. Brian Pellot reports
Pakistan: Draft computer crimes law violates human rights
Pakistan’s draft computer crimes law is the latest example of vaguely worded legal frameworks that have severe implications for freedom of expression in the country, Nighat Dad writes
Pakistan: Journalists urged to unite for protection
In the sixth attack on Express Media employees unknown assailants threw a hand grenade at the gate of Express News bureau chief’s house. Though no one was injured in Sunday’s incident, it highlights the dangers for Pakistan’s journalists, Zofeen Ebrahim reports
Cheering for the Pakistan cricket team is dangerous in democratic India
Indo-Pak cricket matches are anything but “normal” as 67 college students found when they were charged with sedition for cheering for the Pakistani team. Saurav Datta reports
US report criticises Pakistan’s abuse of blasphemy laws
There are 14 individuals known to be on death row while 19 others are serving life sentences on charges of committing blasphemy, according to new report. Zofeen Ebrahim writes
Pakistan: Group declares laws against child marriage are “un-Islamic”
The move has been slammed by a coalition of over a hundred Islamabad-based civili society organisations, who have labelled it a violation of Pakistani women’s and girls’ fundamental human rights. Zofeen Ebrahim reports
Cricket cheering uncovers faultlines between Kashmir and India
Improbable as it may seem, but 67 Kashmiri university students were briefly charged with sedition for cheering for Pakistan, and celebrating its win over India, during an Asia Cup cricket match in early March. Mahima Kaul reports