Shafaqna Pakistan | by AK Haq- Pakistan’s turbulent political history is marked by decades of protests and rights movements, where women have consistently stood at the forefront, often at great personal risk. Despite the recurring use of excessive state force, intimidation, and incarceration, the resolve of women political workers has remained remarkably unbroken.
Their steadfastness in the face of systemic brutality is not only a testament to their courage but also a reminder of the critical role women continue to play in shaping the country’s democratic aspirations. Today, this resilience is once again being tested, as an increasingly authoritarian state appears intent on targeting women through suppression, intimidation, and what many are calling “lawfare”—the strategic use of legal tools to silence dissent.
Recent events offer troubling insights into how the state is dealing with women political prisoners. Dr Mahrang Baloch, a prominent member of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, was arrested three months ago, and in April, the Baluchistan High Court rejected her bail petitions. The Baluchistan Advocate General argued that releasing her would “cause unrest”—a claim that placed her basic right to liberty at the discretion of a distrustful provincial government.
More disturbingly, the Director General of the ISPR publicly labeled her a “proxy of the terrorists,” an accusation that not only undermines her credibility but also places her in grave personal danger. This is not an isolated case. The prolonged detention of veteran politician Dr. Yasmin Rashid, along with the recent re-incarceration of PTI Punjab chief organiser Aliya Hamza and political supporter Sanam Javed, signals a disturbing trend.
Together, these incidents point to a deliberate campaign of exclusion, discrimination, and punitive action against women who have dared to challenge the status quo and assert their presence in political discourse.
Such actions raise uncomfortable but necessary questions about the character of the state and society. Is this pattern of repression reflective of a deeper discomfort with politically active women? Is the state signalling to the public that women who speak out or seek power will be dealt with more harshly than their male counterparts? These developments not only erode public trust in the rule of law but also risk further alienating already marginalised communities, particularly those from conflict-hit regions like Baluchistan.
At a time when national unity is fragile, silencing dissent and persecuting representatives from restive provinces will only exacerbate existing tensions. The political leadership must recognise that sustainable governance, popular support, and economic progress cannot be achieved through coercion. Instead, they require dialogue, inclusion, and justice. Constructive engagement with political prisoners and representatives of marginalised regions is not a weakness—it is a necessary strength for any functioning democracy.
For a government that recently enjoyed strong public support during a military conflict with India, the current strategy of repression is both counterproductive and damaging. Jailing women political workers without due process not only violates fundamental rights but also sends a chilling message to other women: that their participation in politics and public life will come at a heavy cost.
The justice system, for its part, must uphold the protections and considerations legally afforded to women, particularly those in custody. These are not privileges, but necessary safeguards to ensure fairness and humanity in a deeply imbalanced power structure.
Undeniably, the state has a responsibility to neutralise genuine threats posed by militant separatists. But this duty must not come at the expense of transparency or human rights. Incarcerated women must be treated with dignity and their legal rights must be preserved. Any deviation from this not only weakens the moral authority of the state but risks deepening the divides that threaten Pakistan’s stability from within.
Source: Shafaqna Pakistan
Note: Shafaqna do not endorse the views expressed in the article