If we have a court system, then why is it lagging behind in punishing the people involved in Abbottabad killing
KARACHI: A young woman was set on fire by her community in Abbottabad last week. We live in a country where there is little regard for the rights of the weak. The act by the jirga was totally ruthless wherein they took young Ambreen’s life because she was only supporting her friends exercise their free will to marry. This is not an isolated incident; many such incidents have occurred before. Many men in Pakistan view their honour through the women in their families. As flattering as that might sound, it is quite the opposite. In this recent case, in a traditional family structure, both Ambreen and her friend whom she was helping elope were deprived of personal choice and freedom.
A woman has the right to choose her spouse. She has the right to fall in love. She even has the right to file for divorce. Numerous examples in Islamic history prove that women are meant to be free agents, not subservient actors. Honour killings discredit Islam and reflect shameful cultural values held by some members of our citizenry. If we have a court system, then why is it lagging behind in punishing such people? I request the government and other authorities concerned to take steps to rectify this serious situation.
Aisha Zaman
Published in The Express Tribune, May 11th, 2016.
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