BEHIND CLOSED DOORS: THE CRIMINAL REALITY OF MARITAL RAPE

Mahtab Bashir
mahtabbashir@gmail.com
0333 53 63 248
ISLAMABAD

In the early hours of July 22, in a dimly lit room of Karachi’s Civil Hospital, a 19-year-old girl breathed her last. Her body, torn by brutality, her spirit crushed long before death- was the final proof of a crime that many in this country still refuse to acknowledge: marital rape. Her story, one of countless others buried in silence, forces us to confront an uncomfortable truth- that within the sacred institution of marriage, barbarism often finds shelter behind tradition, law, and society’s willful ignorance.

The young girl from Lyari, married on June 15, was subjected to unspeakable violence by the man who vowed to protect her. Her husband sodomised her and assaulted her with a metal pipe. Her health deteriorated rapidly, and she slipped into a coma. For weeks, she battled for life in hospitals—her body a battleground of internal injuries and trauma. She lost the fight. But this nation—its lawmakers, courts, and collective conscience—must not lose the opportunity to listen, to act, and to change.

Marital Rape: An Oxymoron or an Evil? 

Across the world, rape is recognized as a crime that shreds human dignity. And yet, Pakistan remains among the nations where marital rape is not a crime, a dark stain on the country’s already fragile human rights record. Rooted in colonial-era laws and deepened by patriarchal mindsets, Pakistani statutes continue to uphold a twisted notion: that marriage equals irrevocable consent. In essence, a husband’s access to his wife’s body is assumed permanent, unquestionable—even when it's violent, coercive, or life-threatening.

This is not just a legal loophole. It is an institutional betrayal. The Constitution of Pakistan guarantees the right to dignity under Article 14, yet our laws carve out an exception when the assailant wears a wedding ring. How can we, as a society, claim to protect women when the very law of the land shields their rapists within marriage?

Let us be clear: marital rape is rape. No semantics, no cultural justifications, no religious misinterpretations can alter that fact. It is a form of sexual violence—often more insidious than stranger rape—because it comes cloaked in the guise of love and legal obligation. The home, instead of being a sanctuary, becomes a prison where suffering is locked behind closed doors and muffled by shame.

The brutality inflicted on the Lyari victim is not an isolated incident. Every month, hospitals across Pakistan admit women with injuries consistent with sexual assault—many inflicted by their spouses. A rare judgement in Gujranwala this April sentenced a husband to 10 years in prison for an unnatural offence against his wife. But such rulings are exceptions, not the norm. Most cases are never reported. Victims fear disbelief, dishonour, or worse—legal inaction.

Video Courtesy Geo.tv

The irony is sharp: Pakistan has passed anti-rape legislation with stringent punishments, yet continues to exclude marital rape from its scope. Even when the victim is left bleeding, in coma, or dead, the law hesitates to call the crime by its name.

We demand that this silence be shattered.

Pakistan must urgently amend its penal code to criminalize marital rape—unequivocally, without conditions. Any act of non-consensual sexual activity, regardless of marital status, must be punishable by law. Medical institutions must be empowered to report and examine such cases without bureaucratic delay. Police must be trained to handle them with sensitivity, not suspicion. And most importantly, society must reject the age-old lie that marriage is a license to violate.

The young girl from Lyari didn’t just die from physical trauma. She was killed by a culture that treats wives as property, a justice system that moves too slowly, and a society that refuses to look evil in the eye if it wears the mask of marriage.

Let her death not be another fleeting headline.
Let it be a turning point.
Let us no longer be a country where the sacred bond of marriage becomes a license for pain.
Let us speak, legislate, and act—before another bride bleeds silently into her grave.

CONSCIENCE FOR SALE, FAITH BETRAYED: PAKISTAN'S HALAL SYSTEM UNDONE BY A BUTCHERED TRUTH

A Page of my Diary

Mahtab Bashir
mahtabbashir@gmail.com

0333 53 63 248 

Islamabad

What was once a cruel joke aimed at mocking the people of Lahore has now morphed into a grim reality across multiple cities in Pakistan - the sale and consumption of dog and donkey meat. No longer just a punchline, this disturbing trade thrives in the shadows, driven by those who have traded their conscience for cash. With little regard for ethics, health, or humanity, these vendors shamelessly peddle what is forbidden, turning one of the most grotesque acts into a booming underground business. 

What unfolded in Islamabad’s Tarnol area on Saturday, July 26, is not just a violation of food safety - it’s a moral and religious travesty. The Islamabad Food Authority (IFA), in collaboration with local police and district administration, raided an unauthorised farmhouse and uncovered a revolting operation: over 900 kilograms of donkey meat being processed for sale, both within Pakistan and beyond. The authorities seized the illicit stock and rescued 60 live donkeys, potentially hours away from being butchered in the shadows. 

To add another layer to this disturbing tale, a foreign national, reportedly a Chinese citizen, was apprehended at the site. Initial investigations suggest that this was no isolated crime—it may be part of a transnational network smuggling forbidden meat into local markets and foreign destinations. The operation had reportedly been functioning for quite some time, exploiting regulatory loopholes and institutional negligence. 

At a Tarnol farmhouse, donkeys stand in line for a fate too cruel to imagine.

This is not simply a matter of public health -it is a direct assault on religious sanctity. Islamic injunctions are unambiguous: donkey meat is Haraam. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), during the Battle of Khaybar, explicitly forbade its consumption. That such meat could be slipping into our food supply chains is nothing short of a betrayal of the nation’s faith, values, and trust. 

Yet this horror story also exposes a larger, systemic failure. For years, organisations like Jamiat-al-Quresh have demanded a modern, regulated slaughterhouse in Islamabad. But bureaucratic inertia has rendered their calls unheard, leaving room for illegal, unregulated slaughterhouses to mushroom in areas like Tarnol. With no central mechanism to enforce halal standards, unscrupulous operators continue to thrive in the shadows. 

There is another uncomfortable dimension to this case: the involvement of foreign nationals in an enterprise that is religiously forbidden for the Muslim majority, yet possibly legal for others. This raises a critical policy question - where is the government’s stance when non-Muslim actors operate within Pakistani territory to promote or profit from practices strictly prohibited in Islam? This is where the state must rise with resolve. 

Whether the culprits are Pakistani or foreign, whether the crime is local or international, the response nation that fails to protect the integrity of its food, the faith of its people, and the sanctity of its laws is inviting rot from within must be swift, firm, and unforgiving. No diplomatic immunity, no procedural delay, no bureaucratic excuses - those responsible must be booked under the full extent of Pakistani law and made an example of. 

The government machinery must now shift gears - from passive observation to active prosecution. If not now, then when? A. The choice is clear: either act decisively now, or let the stench of inaction spread deeper into the system.

HEC’s VISION 2047: A NEW DAWN FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN PAKISTAN?

· Chairman HEC Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed unveils HEC’s Vision 2047 and P-10 Project aims to transform Pakistan’s top ten universities into global research leaders

· Announces 100+ Smart Classrooms Nationwide, Expanding Digital Education to Remote Areas

· Pledges to Boost Annual PhD Production from 3,000 to 5,000 to Enhance Faculty and Research

· Despite Budget Challenges, he Vows to Drive Digitization, Academic Reforms, and Youth Entrepreneurship for the Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Biotech Era

· Highlights World Bank Collaboration and Smart Use of University Resources for Sustainable Growth and Global Competitiveness

Mahtab Bashir

0333 53 63 248 

mahtabbashir@gmail.com

ISLAMABAD: In an era where nations are racing towards knowledge economies, Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission (HEC) is laying the foundation for an intrepid, tech-driven academic future. HEC Chairman Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed has unveiled a sweeping vision for transforming the country’s higher education landscape, aiming to empower 15 million youth with modern education and technological tools under the long-term roadmap, Vision 2047.

At the heart of this vision is the P-10 Project, which will initially select Pakistan’s top ten universities to be transformed into global research powerhouses, bringing them closer to the world’s academic elite. “We are not just preparing for the future,” said Dr. Mukhtar during an informal media briefing, “we’re building it—brick by brick, byte by byte.”

Dr. Mukhtar shared that the Higher Education Commission (HEC) is preparing to host a landmark event in mid or late July at the Jinnah Convention Centre in Islamabad — a grand celebration to unveil the achievements of the past two and a half years. “It will be a surprise showcase of our journey, our milestones, and our impact,” he said, noting that the country’s top leadership is expected to attend.

Addressing speculation about his tenure, Dr. Mukhtar emphasized, “This event is not about me — the search committee for the next HEC chairman is already in place. What truly matters are the institutions, not individuals. Legacies should belong to systems, not personalities.”

When questioned about the controversy surrounding the Executive Director’s dismissal and the possibility of his reinstatement by court order, Dr. Mukhtar responded with calm resolve: “Whether the court reinstates him or not, it doesn’t change the bigger picture. I was one of his strongest supporters—I was even part of the team that appointed him to the Executive Director’s position. But what unfolded afterward is clear for all to see. Ultimately, it was the Commission’s board that decided to let him go, not me,” he clarified, emphasizing that the choice was a shared responsibility rather than a personal one.

“We’re introducing the transformative concept of the ‘Smart Teacher," said Dr. Mukhtar. “Yes, many educators are apprehensive, even fearful, about adapting to this AI-driven ecosystem—but I’ve made it clear: those who evolve with the times will thrive, those who resist may be left behind.”

He encouraged teachers not to fear the change but to embrace it: “At the end of the day, it’s still the human mind and heart that will guide these systems. Technology may power the future, but it’s people who will steer it. So, gear up, learn, and lead — because the future classroom will need you more than ever.”

Smart Classrooms, Smarter Nation

Currently, 100 smart classrooms have been established across the country’s universities, with 200 more underway, enabling students from remote towns to access lectures and digital resources once available only in urban centres. Dr. Mukhtar noted that education today “fits in the palm of your hand — your mobile phone is your campus, your textbook, and your teacher.”

He said, the third phase of PERN (Pakistan Education and Research Network) is being rolled out to boost connectivity and enhance quality teaching, while cloud computing and High-Performance Computing (HPC) now allow students and teachers to access classrooms and resources from the comfort of their homes — a safeguard for continuity in times of crisis.

PhDs, Faculty & Future Readiness

With only 28% of current faculty holding PhDs, the HEC has set its sights on producing 5,000 PhDs annually (up from the current 3,000), aiming to raise the national count from 24,000 to 40,000. Over 6,000 students have already been sent abroad on scholarships, strengthening research and academic credentials at home.

But Dr. Mukhtar emphasized that education must evolve beyond degrees: “The future is not about job-seekers, but job-creators.” He envisions an entrepreneurial surge driven by youth, particularly in IT and biotech sectors, where Pakistani innovators are already gaining ground.

Budget Battles & Systemic Challenges

Despite this progress, the road ahead is far from smooth. Chairman HEC expressed concern over the shrinking development budget, which once stood at Rs 65 billion in 2018 and has barely inched to Rs 70 billion today. He warned that without adequate funding—ideally at least 4% of GDP, as committed by OIC nations—several ongoing projects risk grinding to a halt. “Currently, Pakistan’s education budget is a mere 1.9%, far lower than regional peers,” he lamented.

Still, Pakistani students continue to outperform globally, securing the highest number of EU scholarships among developing countries. “Our students are our pride. They’ve shown the world what Pakistan can achieve with opportunity and resilience,” he remarked.

Digital Governance & Academic Reforms

Under its ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system, the HEC has digitized the administrative machinery of universities, dramatically reducing paperwork and manual processes. Meanwhile, Quality Enhancement Cells have been installed in 40 institutions to oversee online and distance learning programs.

The Education Reforms Program, currently being piloted in 25 universities, is also reshaping governance, research priorities, and academic-industry linkages. Two Pakistani universities are now internationally recognized for producing industry-ready graduates, proving that reform is not only possible—it’s already underway.

From Urban Centres to Rural Roots

Perhaps most significantly, HEC Chief reaffirmed the HEC’s commitment to educational equity. “We’ve brought learning to cities and to the most remote corners of the country,” he said. “Every citizen deserves a chance at a better future.”

Instead of building more universities, the HEC is repurposing vacant lands within existing campuses, constructing new blocks, and even recommending commercial use of unutilized land to generate income for universities — a novel approach to sustainable growth.

Global Collaboration & World Bank Support

In partnership with the World Bank, the HEC is implementing the Higher Education Development Project (HEDP) — a $400 million initiative to strengthen governance, technology, and faculty capacity through the National Academy of Higher Education (NAHE). The goal: align Pakistan’s academic infrastructure with international best practices and catalyse economic development through research.

A Call to Action

Pakistan stands at a critical juncture. With 150 million young people, nearly 48% of university students being women, and a digital education revolution in motion, the potential is enormous.

But as Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed notes, “This is the age of artificial intelligence, and the next will be the age of biotechnology. If we miss this train, we may not get another.”