Originally published on Global Voices

Muslim women wearing burqas in the courtyard of the Shah Mosque, Isfahan, Iran. Photo by LBM1948 on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Across continents, women face the same struggle under different names. Some are told to cover their faces in the name of morality, others are told to uncover them in the name of freedom. The result is the same. A woman’s right to choose remains in the hands of men and lawmakers rather than her own.

The year 2025 began with Switzerland enforcing its nationwide ban on the burqa. Soon after, Portugal followed, and now Canada has joined the list through Quebec’s expanding secularism laws. The idea behind these bans is often framed as liberation, yet the outcome feels more like restriction. In these societies that call themselves “free,” women are once again being told what they can and cannot wear.

In Quebec, the government has recently reinforced its secularism policy with a new law that prohibits students, teachers, and even volunteers in public schools from covering their faces or wearing religious symbols. While the officials defend this move as necessary for equality and neutrality, it has become an obstacle to education and employment for Muslim women who wear the hijab or niqab. Those who once taught or took care of children are now excluded because they choose to practice their faith.

The policy has spread further into childcare. The government plans to ban religious symbols in daycares, claiming it protects young minds from religious influence. Yet many daycare directors and staff argue the move will worsen staff shortages and push out skilled workers. A teacher wearing a headscarf is not preaching a sermon. She is caring for children. The idea that her clothing threatens neutrality exposes a deeper fear of visible diversity.

Political competition in Quebec has made the issue worse. The Parti Québécois recently vowed to ban religious symbols for elementary school students if elected. The ruling Coalition Avenir Québec party also plans to restrict public prayers. Both sides are pushing minorities towards marginalization and promoting such measures in the race for secularism.

This debate has now centered on the courts. The federal government has questioned the exercise by Quebec to use the “notwithstanding clause” to shield the analysis of Bill 21. Ottawa argues that this clause, used repeatedly, weakens the Canadian Constitution and undermines minority rights. 

Legal experts remain divided. Some call this use of the clause preventive and dangerous; others say it preserves provincial independence. The coming Supreme Court decision will determine not only the limits of religious freedom but also how far governments can go in shaping private choices.

This wave of bans is not limited to Canada or Europe. In some West Asian and South Asian countries, the control works in the opposite direction. In Afghanistan, women are forced by law to wear the burqa. In Iran, they face punishment for removing the hijab. In Saudi Arabia, although some restrictions have eased, women still live under moral policing. Even in places like Syria, Jordan or Egypt, traditional pressures push women to conform. Across borders, the message is consistent. Whether it is forced covering or forced unveiling, women’s bodies remain the battleground of political and cultural agendas.

The contradiction is striking. Western democracies, while condemning religious coercion abroad, impose dress codes of their own. They argue that removing the veil helps integration, but in doing so, they push women further to the margins. A Muslim woman who chooses to wear a headscarf in Paris or Toronto should not have to defend her choice any more than someone choosing not to wear one in Tehran. The heart of freedom is the ability to decide without fear or punishment.

The argument that these bans protect equality is weak. True equality comes from opportunity, not uniformity. Excluding women from classrooms, offices, and daycares because of their dress strips them of economic independence. It also conveys a message that religion and serving the people are not compatible. The more the government controls what individuals believe, the less accommodating society becomes. As history has recorded, when one group starts to lose its freedom, it will become limited in no time.

Most Western leaders promise to champion the rights of women in other countries, yet they do not defend those of their own. The very cries about religious conservatism in West Asia are cheers of the laws, limiting religious expression in Europe and North America. This double standard exposes the political nature of the debate. Religion is not the real threat. Fear of difference is.

What is missing from these debates is the voice of women themselves. Few policymakers ask how women feel about being told what to wear, either in Kabul or in Quebec. For some, the hijab is an act of faith. For others, it is cultural or personal. The right answer is not to remove or enforce it, but to respect the choice behind it. When a woman decides for herself, that is freedom. When others decide for her, that is control.

The challenge today is to protect individual freedom without turning it into another form of dominance. Governments must stop using secularism or religion as tools for social engineering. It is not about a woman covering her face or not, but about whether she will be able to live without being judged and discriminated against.

Freedom should not depend on geography or ideology. It should mean the same in Toronto, Tehran, or Kabul. The real measure of a free society is simple. It is not how women look, but how much control they have over their own lives.

In conclusion, the struggle over the veil has become a mirror reflecting society’s fears and insecurities. Different parts of the world claim to defend with dignity, yet deny women agency in different ways. True liberation will come only when a woman’s appearance is no longer a matter of state policy or public debate. Until then, the world will continue to argue about freedom while denying it in practice.

Originally published on Global Voices

Image by Syed Wasiq Shah from Pixabay. Used under a Pixabay License. Free to use.

Pakistan’s legal system faces major challenges, including a lack of transparency, judicial interference, and widespread corruption. Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2024 and the World Justice Project's (WJP) Rule of Law Index 2024 both indicate a worsening trend that threatens Pakistan's institutional stability. The reports show that judicial oversight remains weak, political forces are interfering with the judiciary, and freedom of the press is diminishing, all while corrupt practices continue to spread across public institutions.

Recent changes in laws through constitutional amendments, along with new cyber regulations combined with judiciary protests, have escalated tensions throughout Pakistan's legal system and civil sectors. Digital speech restrictions grew stronger with changes made to Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) while the Supreme Court Practise and Procedure Act introduced reforms that reduced the power of the Chief Justice. Judges, together with lawyers, have protested against what they perceive as threats to judicial independence and the fair application of the law.

Rule of Law Index 2024

The WJP Rule of Law Index assesses 142 countries based on eight key aspects of institutional strength, legal integrity, and governance quality. Pakistan's latest ranking reflects a weak overall performance, placing 129 out of 142 nations. The country ranks among the worst in government accountability, judicial independence, and corruption control — issues that have deteriorated in recent years.

According to rights advocacy organizations, Pakistan urgently needs judicial reforms, as its court system faces a backlog of 2.4 million pending cases, including 57,000 at the Supreme Court level. Delayed court procedures become even more challenging because of a shortage of 15,000 and 20,000 judges, along with insufficient judicial facilities.

The Pakistani judiciary operates with limited strength because it lacks 1,005 judges from its 4,144 sanctioned positions, which brings its operational capacity to a minimum of 75 percent. Of the 2,364 district judiciary positions in Punjab district courts, there are currently 822 vacancies. Likewise, the judicial sector in Sindh, KP, Balochistan, and Islamabad faces similar vacancies in their judicial roles. The judicial system operates under severe shortage because it has 4,000 judges for a population of 251 million people to manage 2.26 million pending cases. The country has one judge available for every 62,817 citizens.

Screenshot from the World Justice Project website. Fare use.

A major concern is the government's weak oversight, with Pakistan ranking 103rd globally in the rule of law index's oversight category. The judicial system lost its strength when political entities started directly intervening because of the Supreme Court Practise and Procedure Act, which reduced the Chief Justice's powers, thus weakening the court's ability to limit executive power. Important democratic pillars continue to erode as the legislative system fails to hold the executive branch accountable while the media faces increasing restrictions.

Regarding corruption in the country, the WJP Index ranks Pakistan 120th out of 142 countries. According to the latest report from Transparency International, 35 percent of Pakistanis believe corruption has worsened over the past year, and one in four citizens pays bribes for essential services.

The most vulnerable institutions to corrupt practices are the enforcement agencies and judicial institutions, which deteriorates public trust in the justice system.

A lack of government transparency is worsening these issues, with Pakistan ranking 106th globally in this category of the rule of law index. The public has limited access to crucial information, as key decisions are often made behind closed doors. Meanwhile, news organizations face mounting restrictions on press freedom, with journalists encountering censorship, threats, and legal repercussions for reporting on government mismanagement and corruption.

Fundamental freedoms in Pakistan have deteriorated to the extent that the country now ranks 125th out of 142 nations in protecting basic rights. The government has intensified repressive measures to limit political criticism and has escalated the persecution of religious and ethnic groups. This repression is evident in the killing of journalist Arshad Sharif, the forced exile of YouTuber Imran Riaz Khan, and the misuse of blasphemy laws. Women's rights also remain a critical issue, as highlighted by the honor killing of Sobia Batool Shah for seeking a divorce and the murders of six women in northwestern Pakistan in November 2024.

Security remains a major concern, with Pakistan ranking 140th out of 142 countries in safety and order on the WJP index. Terrorist activities continue to rise, particularly in border areas where militant groups operate unchecked. Political violence and street crime have further eroded public trust in law enforcement. Numerous financial resources allocated to military programmes have not resulted in the state being able to establish law and order in rural areas or tribal regions.

Legal enforcement also remains weak, with Pakistan ranking 127th globally in implementing business regulations, taxation laws, environmental protections, and safeguards for workers’ rights. Many businesses operate illegally, and tax evasion is widespread. Due to high legal costs and a backlog of cases, the civil judicial system is now ranked 128th in the world, meaning justice is only accessible to Pakistan's wealthy elite.

Transparency International’s Corruption Report: Pakistan’s Declining Position

Data from the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index 2024 establishes Pakistan’s declining governance standards, ranking the country 135th out of 180 nations. Public institutions have become increasingly vulnerable to corruption, reflected in a two-point drop in Pakistan’s national ranking between 2023 and 2024.

In its 2024 Article IV Consultation, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reiterated concerns over Pakistan's economic governance, stressing the urgent need for structural reforms to improve accountability and transparency. According to the report, the judiciary and police are the most corrupt institutions, as officials often secure their positions through political favoritism and enforce selective justice in critical legal cases.

The country's anti-corruption statutes often fail to be implemented because weak enforcement mechanisms allow high-profile corruption cases to evade proper punishment.

Recent legal controversies

Political pressure is destabilising Pakistan's judicial system. For example, the 26th Constitutional Amendment, passed in October 2024, has sparked significant debate and controversy. This amendment, which shifts the authority to appoint Supreme Court judges from the judiciary to the legislative body, has faced widespread criticism from expert legal analysts because it undermines judicial independence. By granting lawmakers control over judicial appointments, the amendment enables them to install judges aligned with their political views while simultaneously weakening the judiciary’s ability to check executive power.

Legal organizations, along with lawyers and members of the Supreme Court Bar Association, have publicly condemned the amendment, arguing that it is an attempt by the government to manipulate judicial rulings in favor of political interests. In January 2025, protests outside the Supreme Court in Islamabad escalated into violent clashes between lawyers and police, resulting in multiple arrests and injuries.

The Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act 2025 has introduced legal challenges that threaten internet freedoms and free expression in Pakistan, granting the state greater control over digital content under the vague pretext of combating “false information.” Under this amendment, citizens who spread online information deemed fake or false can face up to three years in prison. The anti-fake speech law fails to define which content qualifies as false information, creating a risk for journalists and dissidents.

Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and other international human rights organizations have voiced their concerns about the amendment, warning that it could be used to suppress digital discourse. The law also introduces penalties for political content and criticism of the government, reinforcing state control over social media platforms.

Urgent need for reform

Pakistan's judicial system, law enforcement, and governance structures urgently require reform due to deep-rooted corruption, security threats, and political interference that undermine stability. Decisive government action is required for the protection of civil liberties, upholding judicial independence, and enforcing effective anti-corruption measures. Without meaningful reforms, Pakistan risks further instability, deterring investors and eroding democratic values.

Originally published on Global Voices

Pakistan held its number one position in the 2024 iteration of The China Index, which measures the influence of the PRC across the Globe. Screenshot from the China Index Site. Fair use.

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a USD 62 billion infrastructure and energy development project which launched in 2015, has become a source of conflict and tension, particularly in the Balochistan province in Southern Pakistan. Despite its ambitious economic goals, the project faces persistent security challenges and has generated resentment in some local communities, leading to violence.

Chinese nationals have been targeted, including the November 2024 Karachi airport attack and a shooting at a Karachi facility employing foreign workers. These incidents highlight deep-rooted grievances over perceived resource exploitation in the region, enforced disappearances, community neglect, and exclusion from decision-making processes.

The China Index 2024 examined China's influence in 98 countries and ranked Pakistan as the country that is most exposed to China's influence globally.

The CPEC Roadway Network. Image via the Government of Pakistan. Public Domain.

CPEC hailed as a progress

The Pakistani government is advancing the CPEC, a 3,000-kilometre Chinese infrastructure project, which includes developing a deep-water port at Gwadar and establishing a road and rail network connecting the city to Xinjiang, China. As a part of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), this would provide a shortcut via the Gwadar port, boosting trade between Europe, the Middle East and China. The project also aims to address electricity shortages and help the country pivot from an agriculture-based to an industrial economic structure. However, the persistent violence has hampered progress and raised concerns about its long-term viability.

Balochistan, Pakistan's largest province, is making strides in employment. Initiatives like #BUITEMS Job Fair and NIC #Quetta are unlocking opportunities, while #CPEC projects such as Gwadar Port and Quetta-Zhob Road have created 10,000 local jobs. Growth in agriculture,… pic.twitter.com/2G2NCAUqcQ

— The Balochistan Diaries (TBD) (@BalochDiaries) January 11, 2025

Security challenges and violent resistance

Pakistan has become particularly perilous for Chinese nationals, with 14 incidents which took 20 lives unfolding over the last year. The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a major ethnonationalist militant group in the province, has been a regular offender. The BLA has long advocated autonomy for Balochistan, hoping to resolve issues over political marginalisation, economic exploitation, and disputes over resource control. These rebel actions have intensified as part of a larger battle against the perceived tyranny of the Pakistani government and enforced disappearances. The government’s Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances reports 2,752 active cases in the province as of January 2024, while Pakistan’s government maintains that only about 50 people are missing.

The assaults against Chinese workers are connected to the BLA's hostility to China's engagement in Balochistan's development projects, notably the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which locals believe is increasing their political and economic marginalisation.

Despite promises of infrastructural development, reports from The Express Tribune and The Diplomat indicate that the CPEC has not benefitted the region's socio-economic dynamics. An October 2024 World Bank Report indicates that, while CPEC seeks to improve infrastructure in Balochistan, it has mostly expedited resource exploitation and delivered little benefit to neighbouring residents.

Activist Ambreen Baloch posted on X (formerly Twitter):

The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (#CPEC) is often viewed as a pathway to development, yet it primarily serves the interests of #China‘s elite. In #Balochistan, locals face marginalization despite abundant mineral wealth, as benefits bypass them. pic.twitter.com/dlrAj0bjkL

— Ambreen Baloch (@baloch_ambreen) January 14, 2025

This unrest, fuelled by a combination of local grievances and wider national and international concerns, has caused instability in the region, which has hurt foreign investment.

According to a 2024 Balochistan Human Rights Commission report, Chinese corporations prioritise resource exploitation, environmental damage, and money over people's lives, while the Pakistani authorities continue to promote Chinese interests.

Mineral deposits in rocks in arid Balochistan. Image by Rinam Fatima via Wikimedia Commons. CC BY-SA 4.0.

As Pakistan gets closer to China with the help of the CPEC initiatives, other countries in South Asia, like India, are becoming concerned and wary of China's growing influence in the region. Researcher Zeus Hans Mendez noted that regional animosities also enable militant activities in Balochistan.

Many in Balochistan commemorate the anniversary of mass graves discovered in the Khuzdar district on January 25, 2014, and this year's event was marred by internet shutdowns and other government repressions.

Journalist Basam Baloch posted on X about the shutdown:

A peaceful rally is going to be held in #Dalbandin just few to unite, raise awareness among the Baloch, where relatives of the forcibly disappeared Families are also present, but even then the guilty #Pakistan has shut down internet service #BalochGenocideRemembranceDay pic.twitter.com/blQKQevmyc

— بشام بلوچ (@Basham1Baloch) January 25, 2025

China's concern about their workers

Chinese authorities have frequently criticised the security of their staff and projects in Pakistan. After the Karachi attack in November 2024, the Chinese Foreign Ministry voiced concern for Pakistan's security, heightening diplomatic tensions as China advocates for more security measures. Although Pakistan has enhanced security around CPEC significant points, these measures were not enough to avoid the violence, indicating the glaring weakness in Pakistan's security apparatus. Because of Pakistan’s internal socio-security issues and the local situation, even with long-standing cooperation with China, it is difficult for the country to secure the living and investments of its own people as well as foreigners. This situation demoralises international investors and, in turn, raises doubts about Pakistan’s capability to maintain internal stability in such a complex political environment.

Journalist Asad Ali Toor highlighted on X:

Wang Shengjie, #China’s political secretary to Pakistan, voiced unusually candid criticism of #Pakistan,
“If the security is not improved, who would come and work in this environment? There is hatred against the Chinese in Gwadar and #Balochistan,” he said https://t.co/BibFAIV2Ao

— Asad Ali Toor (@AsadAToor) January 26, 2025

The future of CPEC

The people of the Balochistan region have been generally politically disenchanted and economically deprived for a long time. Sadly, for most of the Baloch people, the implementation of CPEC projects has only amplified a sense of marginalisation. According to a 2024 Human Rights Watch (HRW) report, the people of Balochistan are sceptical of CPEC and do not believe they are receiving positive economic outcomes from the project.

Academics Hong Zhang and Ammar A. Malik suggested in a paper published in the Georgetown Journal of International Affairs in December 2024 that Pakistan and China should adopt a more open approach to advance the CPEC. Acknowledging past shortcomings in Pakistan's security can help rebuild trust and foster dialogue. They also opined that expanding coordination mechanisms to include input from local stakeholders and experts is essential for fostering local ownership.

Originally published on Global Voices

Pakistan's inflation rate, based on April 2024 data from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics. Image via Wikipedia (Public Domain).

In November 2024, Pakistan implemented stricter measures to prevent the misuse of visas for the Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Earlier in September, Saudi authorities alleged that Pakistani beggars were entering the country under the guise of religious pilgrimages and urged Islamabad to address the issue.

Under the new regulations, pilgrims must sign an affidavit pledging not to beg during their stay in Saudi Arabia. Those found violating this agreement will face legal consequences upon their return to Pakistan. Also, only group travel for Umrah is permitted, and a blacklist is being created to track violators. Tour operators are now responsible for collecting these affidavits from pilgrims.

Religious pilgrimages such as Hajj and Umrah hold immense significance in Islam, a faith practiced by over 97 percent of Pakistan's population. In 2024, over 179,000 Pakistanis were among the millions of Muslims worldwide who traveled to Saudi Arabia for these sacred journeys. Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, is obligatory for those who can afford it, while Umrah is a voluntary but highly revered act of worship.

Reputation at stake

Reports suggest that these measures aim to protect Pakistan’s reputation abroad. But they raise significant concerns about the underlying socio-economic challenges within the country, such as poverty, unemployment, high inflation, and rising energy costs. The issue is not solely the actions of a few individuals but the broader socio-economic conditions that compel people to take desperate measures. While steps like the Umrah visa affidavit target specific behaviors, they fail to address the root causes — poverty, unemployment, and inequality — that drive individuals to misuse pilgrimage visas in the first place.

One major concern with this punitive strategy is the inconsistency in accountability. While ordinary citizens face strict scrutiny and harsh penalties, Pakistan's political and economic elite often remain shielded from similar oversight. A report by the European Foundation for South Asian Studies highlights the entrenched corruption in Pakistan’s political sphere, where those in power frequently evade meaningful consequences despite serious allegations.

Desperation in Pakistan is largely driven by a growing wealth gap between the rich and the poor. This inequality is exacerbated by widespread corruption, poor governance, and exploitation by the nation’s elite, including politicians, military leaders, and business tycoons. Reports by Transparency International reveal that corruption is endemic at all levels of government, with the elite leveraging their power to amass and protect wealth, while the majority of the population struggles to meet basic needs.

Crackdown on alleged beggars

In November 2024, Pakistan informed Saudi Arabia about its measures to crack down on beggars misusing Umrah visas. These steps included requiring affidavits and placing 4,300 beggars on the Exit Control List (ECL), barring them from traveling abroad.

Public opinion in Pakistan is divided on this issue. While some social media users praised the efforts, stating that they help deter pilgrimage visa abuse, others remain critical of the approach. As popular platform X (formerly Twitter) remains banned in Pakistan, opinions can be seen on platforms such as YouTube and LinkedIn.

IT entrepreneur Arsalan K. wrote on LinkedIn:

We have failed as a nation to keep our integrity and dignity intact. Though the economical crisis is the main reason people are taking such measures to go and beg in middle east countries as it’s comparatively easier to travel there but this begging hasn’t started recently. I personally have been experiencing this since over a decade. UAE, Qatar, KSA, Oman Its everywhere. Sorry to say but mostly these beggars are from central and upper Punjab province. Extreme measures are being taken due to such shameful acts. I am very ashamed usually when people from other countries point out such incidents and associate it with Pakistan. What a pathetic situation to be in being a Pakistani. Sigh!

Pharmaceutical professional Abdul Basit commented on LinkedIn:

This is ridiculous, those who are intended to beg will continue to beg even after declaration, they just need to catch them those who are begging and punished them hardly for once.

However, some argue that instead of blaming individuals, the focus should be on addressing the underlying socio-economic issues that drive people to beg.

IT professional Maisam Haidar comments in LinkedIn:

There are some kind of gangs who bring baggers in Saudi and take commission from them and tell them to bag using different excuses. “I do not have any work and my father/brother/wife etc, passed away or serious or I have no money for a ticket bla bla bla”. That's how the baggers business works. Capitalism.

On November 25, a ten-member group was arrested at Karachi Airport while attempting to travel to Saudi Arabia on Umrah visas. According to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), the group lacked hotel reservations and sufficient funds for their stay, raising suspicions of being trafficked for begging.

Nasir jamal Durrani posts on Bluesky:

لوگ حج ، عمرہ سے واپس آئے لوگوں کی دعائیں لینے دور دور سے آتے ہیں اور یہ بدبخت ، یزید ایسا کر رہے ہیں ۔
This is how you will treated in Pakistan even you just arrived from umrah.
#imrankhan
#imrankhanPTI
#PTI #PAKISTAN

[image or embed]

— Nasir jamal Durrani (@nasirjamaldurrani.bsky.social) November 25, 2024 at 12:11 AM

The Pakistan Interior Ministry stated that they have offloaded 44,000 passengers over various suspicions in the past few years.

Migration vs remittance

Many Pakistanis are compelled to seek better opportunities abroad due to the country’s ongoing economic crisis since 2022. As of April 2024, migration data show that over 13.5 million Pakistanis are working in more than 50 countries, with significant numbers in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the UK. In the past five years alone, over 3 million Pakistanis have migrated abroad, half of them classified as low-skilled or semi-skilled.

While millions leave in pursuit of improved living conditions, they are simultaneously expected to support Pakistan’s economy through remittances. This creates a paradox: despite the country’s heavy reliance on remittances, the underlying issues driving migration remain largely unaddressed.

The government’s reliance on remittances — 24 percent of which come from Saudi Arabia — and international aid highlights a significant systemic challenge. The citizens who would benefit most from these funds are often excluded from accessing them. Political elites frequently exploit these foreign resources to maintain their own interests, further deepening the country’s economic disparity.

The Pakistani government is also seeking investment from its diaspora through various initiatives, such as the Roshan Digital Account (RDA), which attracts overseas Pakistanis to invest in the country. This initiative has brought in around USD 9 billion in remittances over the past four years, up to October 2024. Despite these efforts, the reality on the ground remains challenging for the investors. Pakistan continues to struggle to attract foreign investment, and even domestic investors are looking to diversify their assets abroad due to political and economic uncertainties.

According to a report by the Atlantic Council published in February 2024, Pakistan's economic revival requires comprehensive reforms, including strengthening property rights, increasing public investment in education and health, improving state capacity, implementing fair taxation, protecting minority rights, and creating conditions that support women's economic participation. Without these systemic changes, efforts to reduce begging overseas only scratch the surface and overlook the larger issues.