Ugly truths

The vicious attack on Sobia Batool Shah, whose father and uncles hacked her legs with axes for seeking a divorce from her neglectful husband, is a poignant reminder of the systemic failures that have enabled such heinous crimes to flourish. This incident merely scratches the surface of a far more sinister reality. The scourge of gender-based violence in Pakistan has been swept under the carpet for far too long, its true extent and horrors hidden from view. The time for equivocation is over. It is time to confront the ugly truth. Systemic issues persist, perpetuating a culture of oppression that stifles women's voices and crushes their aspirations.

Domestic abuse and honour-related crimes run rampant, while laws designed to protect women remain toothless and ineffectual. The government must take bold, decisive action to address these systemic issues and ensure that women can live free from fear, violence, and discrimination. Anything less would be a betrayal of their trust and a stark reminder of the state's failure to uphold their rights.

Advocate Riaz Ali Panhwar

Hyderabad