Lahore, Feb 12, 1983: Police lathi charge demonstrators. Photo: Rahat Ali Dar
The News published a slightly toned down version of my article, The Feb 12 pledge. Un-edited text below, followed by a postscript linking this struggle to Malala. More photos at this link.
Renewing the Feb 12 pledge
By Beena Sarwar
Every February 12 we commemorate Pakistan Women’s Day in honour of those who gathered at Lahore’s Regal Chowk on that day in 1983, defying the military order against public gatherings, to protest Gen. Zia’s ‘Law of Evidence’ that upheld the testimony of a male as equal to that of two females in a court of law. The police attacked the demonstrators with batons and arrested several, including the venerated poet Habib Jalib whom Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif is fond of quoting. Continue reading
Filed under: 'War on terror', Gender | Tagged: eqbal ahmad, Feb 12, Habib Jalib, Malala, Pakistan Women's Day, TTP | 3 Comments »
Journeys to democracy 