Another Noor Mukadam

Yet another horrific incident of violence and murder took place in Islamabad’s Chak Shehzad area in which a man – who happens to be the son of a renowned senior journalist – reportedly killed his wife inside their house. Media reports say that the victim was bludgeoned to death by a dumbbell and the body was subsequently dumped in the bath tub.

It is also claimed that the perpetrator was under the influence when he committed the crime. The incident resonates greatly with the July 2021 murder of 27-year-old Noor Mukadam – also in Islamabad – and shows just how vulnerable women are in all strata of society. Domestic violence between a husband and wife has a long and gruesome history in Pakistan. It is not just an endemic social crisis but also a public health problem as women have reported attacks ranging from physical to psychological and sexual abuse from their partners.

In many instances, violence increases to the extent of murder, with an estimated 5,000 reported murders occurring from domestic violence annually across the country. Even more deplorable is the fact that victims have little legal recourse and the general perception among LEAs is that domestic violence is a personal matter, not a crime. This results in refusal to register majority cases.

Still, it is shocking to witness community members – who see and hear about multiple female abuse, rape and murder cases happening every other day – say that the women may have instigated it or that this was part of political vendetta and victimisation. It is very clear that our society – given its ideas regarding marriage, partnership and the female body – does not give females the rights and freedoms they naturally possess. Instead they are forced to fight for it. In the case where women do not have those freedoms, it is the responsibility of the state to uphold their rights and protect them with its iron hand.