A Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) report that emerged on International Women’s Day suggested that women are still victims of heinous practices of karo-kari and vani in the tribal areas of southern Punjab which raises questions over the performance of law enforcement agencies in the country. The HRCP’s high-profile fact-finding mission to southern Punjab visited Dera Ghazi Khan and Rajanpur and noted that women in tribal areas are still being denied the basic protections that they are entitled to. They are subjected to the customary practices of karo-kari and vani where the elders act as judges, jury, and executioners. The team’s findings have further highlighted how the centuries ill practices are entrenched in the fabric of society and how they go against basic human rights. The HRCP mission maintained that the border military forces have also failed in providing them protection and security. At a time when women around the world are excelling in every walk of life and making a name for themselves, the ill-fated women of these tribal areas do not even have an identity or political voice. Many women are denied the right to citizenship documents by the male members of their families, hence no say in political or legal matters. Even in the 21st century, when free will is common, the incidents of honour killing raise questions over our choices as a nation and as human beings. In this scenario, the role of civil society and the media is of great importance in discouraging such practices and sensitizing the people to their gravity.
On top of it all, the situation of religious minorities in the province is of particular concern.
The blasphemy laws are often used to threaten minority groups (Hindus and Christians) for land grabbing or dealing with personal grudges. Forced conversions of minorities are also of particular concern. The incidents of forced conversions of young girls and boys remain common where they are forcibly married to older landlords. Furthermore, the district vigilance committees remained non-functional in the area. These committees were set up to monitor the situation of bonded labour and report accordingly. Meanwhile, the Punjab government has restored the peshgi system while amending the Punjab Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1992. This development is extremely deplorable and must be rolled back immediately. The security of lady health workers is also in question as they continue to struggle in an attempt to carry out their jobs without adequate protection during their work. They often put their lives at risk in the line of duty. All these practices are nothing but abuse to the situation of human rights in the backward areas of the country.
