TheCredibleTimes

May 25, 2017 By Haroon Baloch Pakistan’s human rights record, specifically when it comes to civil liberties, is dismal. In next July, the UN Human Rights Committee in Geneva is due to review Pakistan’s performance under International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It is the first time since 2010 when Pakistan ratified this UN convention which deals with fundamental rights including freedom of expression, the right to information, assembly, association, privacy, and religion among others. Another important event vis-a-vis human rights will take place in November 2017, again in Geneva, where the UN Human Rights Council will take a holistic review of human rights in Pakistan under its unique instrument — Universal Periodic Review. Several civil society groups and individuals have submitted shadow reports on different thematic areas parallel to the state’s reports for these two reviews. Nonetheless, there has been a progression in human rights violations, but the state st

May 9, 2017 By Haroon Baloch For some time now, I have been restricting my speech — which may otherwise be perfectly lawful — out of fear of being labelled a blasphemer or a traitor Never before now had I thought about my personal safety since friends and close acquaintances frequently advise me to be cautious in view of the increasingly intimidating atmosphere in the country. For some time now I have been restricting my speech, which may otherwise be perfectly lawful, out of fear of being labelled a blasphemer or a traitor. Critical and dissenting speech is rapidly being circumcised and criminalised in Pakistan, either through disproportionate laws or by vigilantism. Just a few days ago, a learned acquaintance posted a status on FaceBook whose tone was supportive of the controversial blasphemy laws without paying any attention to the various incidents of murder, lynching, and vandalism that have taken place in the name of these laws. The person is associated with the

The “so called” reasonable restrictions imposed on freedom of expression in Article 19, through section, will provide authority of interpretation to PTA, which means the role of reviewing the law is being transferred from the Supreme Court to the regulator. Once it becomes law, it becomes easy for PTA to direct internet service providers to block or censor content from any website, blogs or social media. PHOTO: COURTINGTHELAW.COM July 29, 2016 By Haroon Baoch It is unfortunate that every time activists engage the government in a discussion regarding the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Bill (PECB), with the aim of protecting civil liberties in cyberspace, the government in turn makes the law more complex and open to multiple interpretations. In recent days, an extensive round of deliberation was carried out with the senate’s standing committee and sub-committee on information technology. This time, digital rights organisations somehow managed to push legislators through, with

By Haroon Baloch R.I. Khan: Women hand-stitching quilt One would think that the number of women in the Pakistani workforce is growing as economic pressures mount and double income families become the norm. However, the actual figures are surprisingly low. As yet, only 15.76 percent of the women have been allowed to take part in the socio-economic uplift of the country even though women constitute more or less 50 percent of the total population. Further, the women who are included in the workforce remain underpaid. According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, the average monthly working wage for women in Pakistan is slightly over 8,000 rupees as against the minimum wage notified by the government which stands at 13,000 rupees per month. In the developed world, women are playing a crucial role in socio-economic development. Countries like Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Canada, France, Russia, Ireland, Portugal, Ukraine, Latvia, Moldova and Estonia are among those where women s

By Haroon Baloch Karachi's Jinnah International Airport, on 8th June (Sunday), came under terrorists' siege, scratching wounds of near past, which further deteriorated the debilitating image of the country. International media including US heavily debated the episode and highlighted various aspects of terrorism in Pakistan. Delaware's most listened Radio WDEL 1150AM's anchor Allan Loudell discussed this issue with visiting journalist Haroon Baloch in Wilmington studio. Listen here  

September 2, 2013 By Haroon Baloch Referring to one of important speech-recordings of founder of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, which he delivered on Pakistan’s day of birth, 14th August 1947 in Karachi, he undoubtedly preached the nation for respecting all faiths and beliefs, and tolerance for each others’ religions. Jinnah said, “The tolerance and goodwill great emperor Akbar showed to all the non-Muslims is not of recent origin. It dates back thirteen centuries ago when our Prophet (PBUH), not only by words and by deeds treated the Jews and Christians handsomely after he had conquered them.” He further said, “Prophet ensured to them the utmost tolerance, regard and respect for their faiths and beliefs.” These lines uttered by Quaid-e-Azam are extracted from recently disclosed speech-recording of All India Radio (AIR), which has been decided by Indian government to hand over to Pakistan after a formal request made by the former Director General Pakistan Broadcasting Corporatio

August 17, 2013 By Haroon Baloch The Islamabad standoff on the eve of August 15th was not only a criminal confrontation but at the same time it also exposed Pakistan media when it comes to journalism of ethics in Pakistan. Life of electronic media, particularly news channels in Pakistan, spins around good rating a nd in the pursuit of these ratings; I’ve seen anchors like Maya Khan chasing dates in public parks, fiercely harming the public morality. Stories of such TV shows are countless where anchors and/or reporters breach the redline of ethical journalism. While covering contemporary issues as a TV reporter, I experienced instances on routine basis where race of breaking the news leaves a journalist far behind and drags him or her to be a runner in any arena. Interestingly, the time of Islamabad standoff on 15th August marked the silver jubilee of the darkest day of the German press. Exact twenty-five years back on 16th August in the wee hour, two burglars Hans-Jü