Justice for Fakhra

KARACHI: She waited in vain for over 12 years for justice to be done. However, in the end her physical pain and emotional trauma took over and Fakhra Younus ended her life. What Fakhra did not understand was that her tormentor was a feudal, who could win a seat in the national assembly for any political party, including for the concocted set-up of a military dictator. She witnessed the fates of Mukhtaran Mai and Dr Shazia Khalid at the hands of those who never tired of propagating their claims of being enlightened moderates.

What is shocking is the silence of women anchors, including a lady who belongs to the same area as the tormentor of Fakhra and enjoys a similar feudal background. This country has, for too long, allowed women to be abused, raped and be subjected to acid attacks by those who have the resources to influence police investigations. This is the sad reality that we live in — where laws are passed with a lot of fanfare but are seldom implemented.

Rahat Siddiqi

Published in The Express Tribune, March 27^th, 2012.