The world we live in right now is far from perfect. Basic rights are being stripped away, and innocent lives are being lost daily. In an era where the digital revolution should ideally facilitate the free flow of information, censorship and misinformation are at an all-time high. Whether it's the situation in Palestine or elsewhere, it's heart-wrenching to witness the suffering of our fellow human beings. Yet, if there's a silver lining, it's that the younger generations are growing more aware of the injustices that plague society.
Pakistan — in a world of its own — continues to exemplify many of these global problems. From political chaos to censorship, the persecution of minorities, and the endemic misogyny, Pakistan sadly encapsulates the world's most pressing issues. This past month, in particular, was a stark reflection of these deep-rooted problems.
In one week in the last month, we saw the arrival of a fugitive religious preacher, Zakir Naik, who was welcomed as a state guest. Naik, a controversial figure known for his incendiary remarks, set the tone with an absurd complaint about being charged for excess luggage by Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), claiming that non-Muslims in India would have treated him better. Ironically, this public humiliation didn't deter the Pakistani government from rolling out the red carpet for him.
Zakir, never one to disappoint in delivering offensive statements, took full advantage of his platform on national television. In one interview, he remarked that women who don't dress according to "Islamic values" invite rape upon themselves. In another, he suggested that if a man can look at a woman for 20 minutes without feeling anything, he should seek medical advice. He also made a bizarre claim that the urine and faeces of animals and birds allowed Muslims to eat, and birds are considered 'pure'.
In a country where songs like "Dhiyaan Askoool Hatta Ley, Othay Dance Kardi Payi Hai" (Pull your daughters out of school, they're dancing there) are part of the cultural landscape, Zakir Naik's misogyny was the last thing Pakistan needed. Why draw the connection? A few days later, Naik was invited to an event aimed at honouring orphaned girls. However, he stormed off the stage, stating that his religious beliefs did not permit him to interact with "na-mahram" (non-permitted) girls. Why attend in the first place? His actions not only created unnecessary drama but also demoralised the young girls he was supposed to inspire. Misogyny cloaked in religious rhetoric is perhaps the most dangerous toxin a society can absorb, and unfortunately, it has deeply infiltrated Pakistan's cultural fabric.
Nawaz went on to make a deeply problematic statement, saying the girl involved in the case was "pure" and wrongly accused, inadvertently implying that victims of sexual assault lose their purity. Such harmful rhetoric underscores how misogyny has become so ingrained in the country's political and social landscape that even leaders fail to grasp the weight of their words
The only bright spot during Naik's visit was when Kamran Tessori, the Governor of Sindh, publicly contradicted one of Naik's old, controversial statements about the Battle of Karbala. Naik had previously claimed it was merely a power struggle between two princes, but Tessori emphatically corrected him.
Yet, the damage was already done. Just as the late Amir Liaquat's inflammatory remarks once led to attacks on the Ahmadiyya community, Zakir Naik's rhetoric was followed by a surge in reports of rape and sexual abuse across the country, with a horrifying case in Lahore taking centre stage. Allegedly, a female student from Punjab Group of Colleges was raped in the basement of her campus by a security guard. In response, students took to the streets and social media to protest.
The province's education minister added fuel to the fire by claiming that the CCTV footage had been tampered with and that parts were missing. Rather than showing empathy, the school principal denied these claims, personally threatening students to back down. The situation escalated when the police were deployed to suppress the protests. Shockingly, the Deputy Superintendent of Police made a deeply insensitive remark: "Everyone should return to class before a new incident occurs." As if that wasn't enough, the police resorted to baton charges, injuring many students and arresting over 250 protesters.
Maryam Nawaz, Pakistan's first female Chief Minister, attempted to address the incident in a press conference. But instead of offering solace, her comments added to the controversy. She denied the rape allegations, claimed the protesters weren't students but opposition party workers, and even shut off the microphone of a student who mentioned the existence of an eyewitness. Nawaz went on to make a deeply problematic statement, saying the girl involved in the case was "pure" and wrongly accused, inadvertently implying that victims of sexual assault lose their purity. Such harmful rhetoric underscores how misogyny has become so ingrained in the country's political and social landscape that even leaders fail to grasp the weight of their words.
In the end, the college and the CM might be right—perhaps there is no case. But if that's true, why not release the CCTV footage and put the matter to rest? And if Zakir Naik's statements didn't fuel anyone's wrongdoings, then why do these predators' thoughts align so closely with his?
A week in the past month alone highlights how disastrously Pakistan, and indeed the world, deals with pressing issues. The innocent continue to suffer, while the powerful remain untouched. Facts are distorted, misogyny thrives, and society feels more fractured than ever. We're exhausted. As humans, we're tired of the cruelty and injustice. All we want is a world united by love—a world where all beings, regardless of caste, colour, creed, or gender, feel safe and valued.