Latest news with #AuratMarch
Roya News
20 hours ago
- General
- Roya News
Teen TikTok star shot dead: What we know so far
Seventeen-year-old social media influencer Sana Yousaf was shot and killed at her home in Islamabad, Pakistan, on Monday in what police and rights activists are calling a targeted act of gender-based violence. Yousaf, who had amassed over 1.1 million followers on TikTok and was known for her lip-sync videos, was reportedly shot twice in the chest and later died at the hospital. She was originally from Chitral in northern Pakistan and had recently celebrated her birthday, as seen in her last TikTok post. Police arrested a 22-year-old man from Faisalabad within 20 hours of the murder. According to Islamabad's police chief, the suspect had tried to contact Yousaf multiple times and traveled to Islamabad to see her. When she refused to meet him, he allegedly forced his way into her home and shot her during an argument. The suspect also took her phone, apparently in an attempt to destroy evidence. The murder has sparked widespread outrage, with women's rights groups, including the Aurat March and the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW), condemning the killing and demanding justice. 'This wasn't a random act – it was a premeditated attack by a man who couldn't take no for an answer,' said a statement from Aurat March. Sana's murder is the latest in a growing number of violent crimes targeting women in Pakistan, particularly those with a public presence online. Activists warn of a disturbing trend in which women are punished for visibility, independence, and rejecting unwanted advances. In 2024 alone, at least 346 women in Pakistan were killed in the name of 'honour,' according to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan — a number that excludes many cases like Yousaf's, where the attacker was not a family member.
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Permission review – one rebellious woman's search for independence from Karachi to London
What does liberation mean? That's the dilemma at the heart of Hunia Chawla's play Permission. Set across continents, on rooftops in Karachi and in university halls in London, it follows Hanna (generously performed by Anisa Butt), a young Pakistani woman with a rebellious spirit, who moves across the world in search of independence. Chawla's writing is knotty and crackles with conflict. Hanna feels stifled by the patriarchal structures of her home town, which prevent her from walking the streets alone or dating without fear of being stopped by the police. But life in London brings with it its own confinements. Here, she meets Anushe (a straight-talking Rea Malhotra Mukhtyar), a third-year student who encourages her to join protests against the university's acceptance of funding from arms dealers – overlooking that speaking out carries far greater risks for someone like Hanna, who is living in the UK on a visa. Ultimately, neither Karachi nor London gives Hanna the full life of autonomy she craves. The comparisons between the cities feel nuanced and layered, showing how systems of control operate in different contexts. Behind the politics, though, is a platonic love story. While Hanna leaves for London, her best, friend Minza (also played by Mukhtyar) chooses to stay and study in Karachi, joining the Aurat Marches on the city's streets. Despite their distance and growing differences, their friendship lives on through phone calls. The pair's conversation bounces from teenage anxieties to bigger discussions about women's rights. Directed by Neetu Singh, it is in these scenes of dialogue where the play lands on its quietest, most intimate flashes. But their affection is not quite enough to wipe away the play's creative inconsistencies. It starts with Butt, as Hanna, performing one side of a conversation; immediately, Permission centres itself as a story about women's experiences. Later, though, the voices of other male characters begin to play through speakers. What emerges is a play that feels torn between competing impulses. There are other gripes, too. Audience interaction is thrown in a little too late to feel authentic, while a scene where Hanna is found smoking weed by her father appears to have no consequences. It's frustrating, as Permission has the beginnings of something truly unique, but too many decisions lack clear reasoning, leaving the play's bold ideas only partially realised. Permission is at Tara theatre, London, from 30 May until 7 June
Business Recorder
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Youth Empowerment Summit discusses climate change, role of youth
HYDERABAD: On the second day of the Youth Empowerment Summit Sindh, organized by the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, Government of Sindh, an important session was held on climate change and the role of youth. Experts highlighted the environmental challenges facing the country and urged young people to play an active role in finding solutions and promoting social justice. Renowned environmentalist from Sindh, Naseer Memon, while discussing the serious impacts of climate change, said, 'At present, this is the country's biggest issue.' He warned that due to climate change, our natural wildlife such as parrots, sparrows, jungle babblers, honey bees, and trees are rapidly disappearing, and the intensity of climatic events has increased. Naseer Memon also identified rapid population growth as a major contributor to climate change and emphasized the urgent need for a nationwide campaign to address it. 'Planting trees is a virtue, cutting them down is cruelty,' he stressed, adding that just like the campaigns against controversial canals, there should also be movements against tree cutting. He blamed the rising heat in Karachi on concrete buildings and stated that 'we must change our way of living.' Climate and environmental journalist Shabina Faraz, responding to questions from youth, said, 'Young people are the real asset of our country and by recognizing their power, and they can bring significant change.' She encouraged youth to raise strong voices on climate change through social and digital media. She further stated that 'just as people united on the issue of controversial canals, the same spirit is needed to combat climate change.' She also highlighted vehicle emissions as a major environmental issue. Javed Soz Halai spoke about the harmful effects of plastic usage, stating that Pakistan ranks 10th in the world for plastic consumption, which is a major cause of climate change. He urged people to stop using plastic bags and bottles, and instead opt for cloth bags and glass bottles. He emphasized the urgent need for climate justice in Pakistan and called on the government to introduce policies to tackle climate change effectively. Speakers agreed that around the world, people are returning to traditional and eco-friendly practices such as using clay utensils and date-palm bags to counter climate change. They asserted that the state is a servant of the people and must protect them from the adverse effects of climate change. A special session was also held on gender inclusivity titled 'Without Gender Discrimination (Trans-gender)', which focused on the challenges faced by the transgender community. Transgender rights activist and Aurat March founder Shehzadi discussed the long-standing issues faced by the community. Referring to historical examples, she said that the rulers of the former Khairpur state had allocated large tracts of land to transgenders. Shehzadi shared that after a long struggle; she was allowed to get a national identity card in 2009. She expressed regret that although NGOs receive huge funds in the name of transgenders, those resources are rarely spent on them. She added that today, transgenders involved in sex work are thriving, while educated ones remain unemployed and distressed. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
24-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Aurat March was hijacked'
During a podcast with entrepreneur Kanwal Cheema, actor Ahmad Ali Butt sparked controversy with his comments on the #MeToo Movement and Aurat March. "Like the #MeToo Movement, Aurat March was also hijacked. Now, there's even proof that these movements are being heavily funded just to disrupt the family structure of Pakistan," he claimed. However, Butt failed to provide any evidence or data to back his statement. He further amplified the backlash by sharing a snippet of his views on feminism on his Instagram account. The post quickly drew sharp criticism from showbiz figures and social media users, who condemned his unsupported claims. Schooling feminism Actor and former model Frieha Altaf wrote, "Oh, hello! Please look up the definition of 'feminism'. Feminism stands for full social, economic, and political equality for women. Humanity suffers when one gender is discriminated against. For example, women not being allowed to work or getting paid less for the same job, not allowed to vote, and basically not allowed a choice." She added that, socially, women are considered lesser beings, who don't possess the ability to make their own decisions, and are viewed as baby-producing machines. "Ahmad, I'm so disappointed that you made the statement that #MeToo and Aurat March are foreign-funded. These opinions must be backed with facts," she wrote. "For years, women have endured sexual harassment at workplaces, being looked at in a lewd way, and being inappropriately touched. How could you, a man, know what that feels like?" she said. "The courage it took to speak up on this became a global voice. By saying that Aurat March is disrupting your family structure and that women are created to multiply, you are insinuating that that's their only purpose in life." Frieha believes that the same principle applies to men whose sole function in society is not just to be providers. "Let me tell you that feminism and Islam do not take away women's rights. They give them those rights. If a woman chooses to be a homemaker, she does it out of free will; she's not a prisoner. If her husband, father, or brother force her to be a homemaker, then she's definitely a prisoner. Now, can we stop being so obsessed with women's clothing? 'Mera Jism Meri Marzi' is about choice and free will. Let it be a choice." Where is the proof? Many in the comments section questioned Ahmad on potentially spreading misinformation. Joyland director Saim Sadiq wrote, "Where is the proof of this foreign funding? Please share it immediately or apologise for your irresponsible and factually incorrect lies." Activist Leena Ghani was quick to point out the podcaster's hypocrisy. "If Ahmad Ali Butt hates feminists so much, does he also hate his own grandmother, Madam Noor Jehan? She was a true feminist icon. She wore what she wanted because she understood the power of 'Mera Jism Meri Marzi'. She built a legendary career in a male-dominated industry. She paved the way for countless women in music and lived unapologetically on her own terms." Leena added, "Typical how men like him, who, let's be honest, no one would even know of if not for his grandmother, enjoy the benefits of powerful women in their own family but have a problem when other women demand the same freedom." Digital creator Saddia Mazhar called out both Ahmad and Kanwal on their views. "Feminism is about empowerment and equal rights. Kanwal, the very reason you are sitting here and speaking on multiple platforms is because of the strength and space that feminism has provided," she began. "Ahmad, instead of spreading baseless propaganda, present concrete proof if you claim that Aurat March is funded and aims to destroy Pakistan's family structure. Otherwise, it's best to remain silent," she asserted. "These individuals, sitting comfortably in their lavish studios, have no genuine concern for societal welfare. Their only goal is to stir controversy and spread misinformation." On hypocrisy Other users also weighed in on the debate, with many echoing the sentiment that there is no concrete proof to back Ahmad's claims. In addition, an Instagram user slammed the close-up shots of women overlaying the clip when the interviewer and his guest discussed the topic of "indecency". "What's with that voyeuristic montage of women's bodies at the start? Why are you acting like a t-shirt and jhumkas are some anomaly?" the user wrote. "Did amnesia hit you overnight or are you just performing purity now? You were not exactly observing purdah during your days in EP, and you definitely ran in circles full of 'modern' women throughout your career. Did a memory wipe come with this midlife rebrand?" Netizens even criticised Ahmad for building a mass narrative based on "dangerous" claims that are sure to influence the wrong crowd, urging him to be careful with what he perpetuates to his large following.
Express Tribune
10-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Aurat March put off in repect of Ramazan
The "Aurat March", this year, will be held in Karachi on May 11, 2025 instead of International Women's Day, in view of respect for the holy month of Ramazan. Our movement will also raise it's voice regarding the missing persons in Balochistan, as well as the struggle ongoing in Palestine and Ukraine. These views were expressed by the organizers of the Aurat March while holding a press conference on Women's Day at the Karachi Press Club. On this occasion, social activist, classical dancer and founder of the Tehreek-e-Niswan, Sheema Kirmani, while talking to The Express Tribune, said that this year, they are not organizing the Aurat March on Women's Day, but will organize it on May 11 in Karachi to pay tribute to the struggle of our domestic workers. She explained that women working in homes told her that it is very difficult for them to leave their homes during this month, so they decided that since the month of May is important with regard to Labor Day and International Mother's Day and the biggest worker in our society is women, the Aurat March should also be organized in this month.
