Justice in rural Pakistan is often determined not by evidence but by proximity to power, a report has highlighted. In parts of Sindh, politically influential men objected to progressive community development initiatives, labeling ideas like girls attending school and women working outside their homes as ‘social vice.’ This led to tactics of intimidation, including standing in public spaces to humiliate women.
Rural development specialist Naween A Mangi detailed the escalating strategies used, from demanding property to open gunfire threats. The situation worsened as influential figures provided safe havens for the accused while the targeted individuals lived in fear. Despite formal complaints and attempts to seek police protection, there was no response, revealing a system where influence trumps justice.
Legal recourse proved challenging as victims faced financial exploitation by lawyers and court delays. The justice system in Pakistan was described as plagued by corruption, power dynamics, and ethical compromises. The report emphasized the prevalence of injustice fueled by apathy, fear, and the devaluation of certain lives and causes.
