TWO months ago, an Egyptian university student Naira Ashraf was beaten and stabbed to death outside Mansoura University by a man for refusing his marriage proposal. The footage of the murder went viral and created outrage globally. However, this murder case was decided almost within a month when the court ordered that the murderer, Mohamed Adel, who stabbed his classmate repeatedly, should be hanged on live TV, to deter similar crimes from happening in the future.

This case is no less different than Noor Mukadam’s that took place in Pakistan last year. But we do not see such quick justice in her case and such other cases in Pakistan. The justice is yet to be delivered owing to delays despite clear evidence, CCTV footage, witnesses, and so much more.

It seems there is no justice for the victims of homicide, sexual assault, manslaughter in Pakistan. And, as a result, we see more and more such incidents in society. When justice is delayed, how can such heinous crimes will end in our society? The assassins and murderers roam around freely. Therefore, the question is: are, or will, our women and children be safe? It is time justice was delivered and the criminals punished.

Kinanah Shahbaz
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2022