Religion

The global human rights watchdog said that Afghanistan now faces one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, exacerbated by donor governments’ aid cuts and the return of 1.9 million refugees expelled from Iran and Pakistan. 

Terming forced religious conversion and forced marriage of Christian and Hindu minor girls to older Muslim men as the most concerning issue, the report notes that there are few legal options available to the victims.

While the removal of the death penalty for two relatively obscure crimes was welcomed by international rights groups, many activists argue the government’s action is insufficient.

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) had initially ordered the formation of a commission to probe the misuse of the law, but that decision was overturned last week, triggering outrage and disappointment among victims’ families.

In a strongly worded statement issued on July 2, the Lahore-based HRCP warned that recent efforts by authorities to block its public events and intimidate staff represent an unprecedented assault on its mission since the organisation was founded in 1987.

Many Afghan women and girls are battling severe mental health issues, with some taking their own lives, others disappearing into Taliban prisons, and those with the means fleeing the country.

The Taliban, long known for maintaining a united front and keeping internal conflicts out of public view, is now exhibiting unprecedented internal discord.

Sri Lanka’s defense agencies have intensified their vigilance following intelligence reports of a potential extremist group operating in the Eastern Province, the government confirmed Tuesday.