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legislations were presented and passed in order to provide women with safe
working environments, it was still estimated by the federal ombudswoman for
protection of women against harassment at the workplace that 60% women
still faced harassment.
Harmful traditions continued to target women, hampering their growth
and curtailing their basic human rights. According to media monitoring by
HRCP, 913 girls and women were killed in the name of honour in 2012; this
figure includes 99 minor girls. In majority of the cases, the girls were accused
of illicit relations and then murdered by close relatives or family. As long as the
law provides the victim’s family with the option of pardon and compensation,
the crime of honour killing shall continue unabated.
According to media reports, 83 incidents of acid throwing were reported
in 2012.
Law and order
Recommendations
1. This year recorded the highest number of target killings in Karachi, a
city that is the economic hub of Pakistan. It is important that all political
parties should stop aiding and abetting criminals in the city. If a criminal has
any party affiliation, he should not be dealt with kid-gloves. Kidnappings for
ransom are increasing day by day. Late Governor Punjab Salmaan Taseer’s
son, Shahbaz Taseer, is still missing. It is important that the law and order
situation be improved across the country so that militant groups are not allowed
to finance their terrorist activities through kidnapping.
2. NGOs, aid workers, health workers, etc., are all under grave threat.
The government must ask its intelligence agencies to be more vigilant and
also provide security to anti-polio workers.
3. The hydra of sectarianism is threatening the basic fibre of Pakistani
society. Pakistan needs a good witness protection programme as well as ensuring
the security of policemen, prosecutors and judges so that they are not coerced
into freeing those responsible for these massacres.