Are animal rights even an issue?

As humans we have our own troubles and Pakistan can be a summoning place to live in, animals go through the same, and often worse, struggles than we do. They do not have the capability to speak up for themselves, and so their circumstances are often not considered.

PML-N uses a lion in their rally 

“Animals cant speak for themselves and when they do they are often ignored.”

Pakistan is not an animal-oriented country which is why rescuing animals and providing them with appropriate shelters is difficult.

Protests against Animal Abuse

“Why waste time on animal rights when humans don’t get their rights here?”

This is the usual reply to the idea of animal welfare or animal rights in Pakistan. Meanwhile, animal lovers and activists aspire to refine the mindset that makes both these issues mutually exclusive.

Stray dogs killed in Karachi overnight 

The plight of ‘working animals‘ in Pakistan, much like all developing countries, relies on animals for laborious tasks. Equine animals, which include horses, donkeys and mules, face the impact of animal abuse in most of the cases. 

Bringing about a behavioural change, amongst the people of Pakistan, is vital and PAWS is in the process of designing a ‘humane school kit’ to counsel students about the significance of compassion towards animals. 

 

Lastly, I’d like to say that we as humans have no right to decide whose life is more important. We are not as important or indispensable as we think we are, and it is time to let go of our ego and show a bit of empathy.

 

 

The Unheard Voice Of Pashtuns

It is extremely shocking that at this day and age, there still exists a place like FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) that does not afford its basic right; the right to live.

The Official Seal of FATA

Since Pakistan’s foundation, FATA has been treated as an inferior and unequal part of the country with the perseverance of the colonial era Frontier Crimes Regulations (FCR-901).  These regulations make FATA an ungovernable frontier hence the constitution governing the rest of the country is worthless here.

The innovations, luxurious lifestyle, developments and modifications around the world have nothing to do with the people living here. They still are living in the stone age with much combat, disgrace, lack of health and educational facilities. 

The regional Pashtuns have demanded for equal rights from the nation over a long period of time, yet their requests have been disregarded over the years. However this issue took on specific fame earlier this year when Naqebullah Mehsud was forcefully abducted during a personal raid by police personnel in Karachi.

Naqeebullah Mehsud, a 27-year-old father and aspiring model from Waziristan

After going missing for 10 days, police stated that they had killed four “terrorists” suspected of having links with Iraq or The Taliban. The police officer, Rao Anwar, who led the operation said that Mehsud was also a terrorist however after further investigation, no evidence was found against Naqebullah Mehsud.

SSP RAO ANWAR

This incident led to the emergence of Pashteen, the head of PTM (Pashtun Tahafuz Movement).

Pashteen, a 26-year-old graduate who is leading protest for the rights of Pashtuns.

His demands are fundamental; Justice of Naqeebullahs murder, a judicial commission to investigate the police encounters, depletion of curfews and check-posts in the tribal areas and the arrival of the missing Pashtuns over the years.

“We are not out here to ask for money, or schools, or even roads, our basic demand is the right to life”

Everyone connects Pashteen’s fame to Naqeebullah’s murder, but very few know that Pashteen had already participated in Islamabad Long March in 2017, a month before Naqeebullah was killed.

The journey to grant Pashtuns their long-lost rights and freedom to live is a prolonged one and we can only hope that this ride ends positively.

 

 

 

 

 

 

My world revolves around me!

21 year old girl from Lahore, making a series of bad decisions yet enjoying life to the fullest. I’m Haleema Ali, probably the biggest attention seeking girl you’ll ever come across. Creating an issue out of nothing would be my favorite time pass though.

My mum and I are almost always fighting over the pettiest things and my 11 year old brother uses my left arm as his punching bag. I am the eldest yet the shortest and the clumsiest one among my siblings.

Friends, family and food – my life literally revolves around these three things. If I’m angry at you, bring me dark chocolate or McNuggets and we’re sorted. I’m a die hard Shahrukh Khan fan and if you say something against him, we’re done.

I love making friends! If you’re sitting next to me and we do not know each other, there is 99.9% chance that I will initiate a conversation and make you think that I’m the sweetest person you’ve ever met. Going here and there, smiling and making others laugh is what i’m best at.

They say opposites attract and I surely do believe this statement after being best friends with an introvert from over a decade. Shes the type of a person who will go to Kashmir with me and sleep at 10 pm because she is ‘too tired,’ Sigh. Its okay, Alizeh. I love you still.

Lastly, I’d like to tell a bit about my educational background. I’ve done my O & A’levels from Lahore Grammar School. I’m currently doing my bachelors from Lahore School Of Economics and my major is marketing. For the world, my university is a place for ‘everyone‘, but little do they know, LSE was my dream school since grade 6..