Hidden scars
IN Pakistan, the spectre of gender-based violence casts a long, oppressive shadow over women and girls. Rooted in societal norms, GBV manifests in forms like ‘honour’ killings, domestic abuse and sexual exploitation. The Pakistan Medical Association has highlighted an increase in such incidents, emphasising GBV as not just a social issue but also a health crisis affecting victims’ physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Brutal incidents in Thatta and Khairpur and the recent Kohistan jirga case, where a girl was killed allegedly by her father and uncle, exemplify the deep entrenchment of these practices. Pakistan’s Demographic and Health Survey and the United Nations Population Fund further paint a grim picture. Research reveals that 39pc of Pakistani women aged 15-49 have suffered abuse, and 80pc of married women face domestic violence. These statistics reflect individual stories of suffering and the urgent need for justice. Institutional apathy and judicial inaction compound this crisis. The Sindh High Court’s observations on inadequate police investigations in GBV cases highlight a systemic failure, a betrayal of the trust in institutions meant to protect. Yet, there are positive changes. The enhancement of the federal Gender Crime Cell to a Gender Responsive Policing Unit and the efforts of the National Police Bureau and UN Women show a shift towards more effective GBV case handling. The Supreme Court’s proactive stance signifies awareness at the highest judicial levels for a comprehensive GBV combat strategy.
The choices we make today will shape our moral and social fabric for generations. Strengthening and enforcing GBV laws, ensuring swift justice for perpetrators, is crucial. Comprehensive training and resources for police and judicial officers, especially women, are vital for sensitive GBV case handling. National campaigns to educate the public and challenge societal norms that perpetuate violence are essential. Establishing support systems such as shelters and counselling services will aid survivors in rebuilding their lives. International collaboration and learning from global best practices are also necessary to better address such cases. The fight against GBV in Pakistan is a battle for the nation’s soul, demanding collective societal will, institutional commitment, and individual courage. As the world observes the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, it is time for Pakistan to rise to the challenge, creating a future where no woman or girl lives in fear, and every individual’s dignity is protected.
Published in Dawn, December 6th, 2023
Abject failure
THE scale of regulatory failure in the country’s power sector is nothing short of catastrophic. According to an inquiry conducted by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority, every power distribution company operating in the country illegally overcharged citizens in the months of July and August this year — the two months when the sharp, sudden increase in the electricity tariff approved by the PDM government had first made its impact, triggering widespread protests and anger.
The Nepra inquiry establishes that millions of customers in those two months actually faced double jeopardy due not only to the much higher tariff but also to the additional charges arising from electricity distribution companies’ unlawful billing practices.
From unilaterally changing the billing period to improperly accounting for units consumed to issuing ‘on average’ and fake and frivolous ‘detection’ bills to customers, all 11 power distribution companies were found guilty of malpractices on one or more counts.
However, there is a bigger scandal that Nepra completely glossed over in its inquiry report and which points to its own culpability in the matter. The most pervasive violation committed by electricity distribution companies has been in the regulator’s knowledge since at least September 2021.
More than two years ago, an investigative report highlighted in local media uncovered that at least eight of the Discos had been consistently overbilling customers by charging them for more than the allowed 30-day billing period.
The report’s findings had been officially acknowledged by the then energy minister, the PTI’s Hammad Azhar, as well as Nepra, and action had been promised against violators. It is now clear that none was taken: only one distribution company — the privately held K-Electric — seems to have made an effort to reform its billing practices.
With millions of customers overbilled — forced to pay much more than their due in the midst of a crippling economic crisis — it seems that Nepra deserves more blame than anyone else. It must be asked why it failed to take necessary action for two years after it had been established that Discos were violating billing conditions and depriving ordinary citizens of the tariffs to which they were entitled.
While corrective and restorative measures must be taken immediately to compensate consumers who were overcharged, the guilty Discos should also be made to pay individually for their malpractices in proportion to the extent of their violations. The responsible individuals at each of the worst violators need to be made an example of.
Nepra must also order an internal inquiry to determine why its own officials dragged their feet and failed to take appropriate action much earlier, especially when the scale of the problem was already known. This is a failure of epic proportions that must not be allowed to be swept under the carpet.
Published in Dawn, December 6th, 2023
Organ trafficking
DESPITE legal safeguards being in place to crack down on the illicit organ transplantation racket, it is clear that greater vigilance is needed to permanently put gangs involved in this dubious trade out of business. In this regard, Punjab Police on Monday claimed that they had apprehended a number of suspects reportedly involved in harvesting the kidneys of brick kiln workers. The criminals enticed their poor and vulnerable victims with promises of well-paying jobs, and took them to Rawalpindi in order to conduct ‘medical tests’ required for these bogus ‘jobs’. Little did the victims know that this was just a ruse to illegally harvest their organs. Police officials said the victims were paid paltry sums of a few hundred thousand rupees for parting with their kidneys. In a similar operation, another gang led by an infamous surgeon was busted in October. The doctor running that racket had been arrested multiple times, but managed to escape the long arm of the law every time. The Punjab caretaker chief minister had told the media that this gang would charge locals Rs3m for a kidney transplant, while foreigners would have to pay Rs10m. These sums indicate that the illegal organ racket is big business.
These unscrupulous elements prey on society’s most vulnerable. While at times organs are harvested from victims without their knowledge, in other instances, people willingly part with their organs for small sums. Most are drowning in debt and rank amongst the poorest of the poor. The raids to bust gangs involved in this vile trade must continue across the country. While Pakistan has come some distance from being one of the top destinations on the ‘transplant tourism’ trail, much work remains to be done. Provincial health bodies, law-enforcement agencies and the criminal justice system must all work together to dismantle these exploitative networks, and stop them from harvesting the organs of desperate individuals.
Published in Dawn, December 6th, 2023