The echoes of shrieks for life haunt the alleys of Pakistan. Yet, we look away. The eyes are shut, and hands are tied to misery.

According to Sahil’s Six Months Cruel Numbers Report, a total of 3,172 cases of gender-based violence (GBV) were reported nation-wide during the first half of 2026. These are astounding statistics that place Pakistan to the bottom of the recognised list on gender disparity gap. If your reaction to this was absent-mindedly looking over the data or worse even, it doesn’t bother you that the woman that walks by suffers from systemic violence and hatred- it’s time you reflect on your values. For your fragile ghairat to feast upon innocence by your vulture minded arrogance provokes self-reflection that has evidently become a barrier towards peace. The boasting of principles as a nation has struck its own self. We are nothing but a shallow society.

When you hear a story- ‘a case’, it’s someone’s whole life. She lives the nightmare you scroll away from. And the conscience that looms to a grave is what shatters your humanity. But what can we do? In a country that refuses access rather than fixing the flaws- what can you and I even do? Report your uncle to the police? The loopholes get him away. Post the neighborhood creep online? Two days and people will overlook it.........

© Pakistan Observer