A policeman is putting a headscarf on the head of a woman, her hair dishevelled, face bruised, and eyes solemn. Gullaan Bharo is one of the many headlines Pakistani society encounters and then forgets later on. In the mainstream media, there is constant hammering of war, straits, checkpoints, and nuclear weapons; however, society is seemingly unbothered by the deteriorating state of human life.
There is actually a difference between the value of the life of a human and a woman. Pakistani society, where morals and religion have such a dominating role and has ‘Islamic Republic’ in the official name of the country, is struggling to give safety, security, confidence and assurance to its women. The issue is more of a sociocultural one than institutional.
Superficially, women's rights are encouraged, but some underlying forces use religion as a weapon to continue to subjugate women. Therefore, the hue and cry is not as aggressive for Dr Mehwish, who was shot 7 times, blatantly, outside the hospital, or when women were jostled during the Aurat March. The people in the comment section of social media posts are cheerful about this manhandling. Women out on the streets are synonymous with sin!
Weaponisation of religion works in a non-linear and multi-dimensional pattern. The institution of politics, for example, is overridden by patriarchy by using religion as a tool. Benazir Bhutto faced immense criticism and controversy because she was a woman in a leadership position.
Her competence as Prime Minister is questionable, but the debate back in the 90s revolved around the credibility of women's leadership in Islam. The mindset has metamorphosed, and now women's leadership is not questioned, but the ministerial positions given to women, if given, speak volumes about the mindset regarding women’s position in state institutions. There is only one woman minister in the federal cabinet, which seems more like token feminism. Even women who appear empowered enough to be in mainstream politics have crutches of dynasty, status and power holding them.
Religious political parties act as the main line of defence of Islam in Pakistan; however, their religious sentiment seldom finds awakening when need be. They remain silent when femicides happen all across the country, through jirga or in the name of so-called 'honour'.
HRCR 2025 states that domestic violence accounted for at least 1,332 cases of murder, and these are reported cases alone
Members of religious-political parties find it very convenient to bring in Islam when there is legislation concerning women. Child Marriage Restraint Act 2025 provoked religious sentiments of ‘certain’ segments of the political sphere. Calling them religious is itself questionable because it is quite rare to see them condemning any injustice, violence or vigilante action against women and minorities.
It seems that religion itself is often instrumentalised by these parties, reducing it to a tool for maintaining influence and political power. The role these parties play in the sociocultural sphere is otherwise quite discouraging.
In addition, with increased access to social media in the country over the years, cyberspace is also subjected to mansplaining and moral policing. Women are part of society, but not allowed to be seen. Likewise, in cyberspace, they are present, but contestation begins when they are ‘seen’.
They are tolerated only in the shadows. Society accepts their existence as long as it does not bring obstruction to the established norms. When questions are raised by women, eyebrows, voices and hands are raised by men in return.
On social media, an extension of this mindset is visible in the form of stalking, intrusive messages and hate comments. Men, in general, find the presence of women on social media threatening to religious values. Hatred is spewed against women in the comments section of social media sites, whereas no one forces those ‘men’ to slide into the DMs of women. Religion, again, is used as a tool to tame women as per standards set by the patriarchy.
The familial sphere, which is supposed to be the safest space for women as per social norms, has become a breeding ground of violence. HRCR 2025 states that domestic violence accounted for at least 1,332 cases of murder, and these are reported cases alone.
The moral values of tolerance, patience and cooperation, often glamorised in society, are not reflected in the basic unit of society. Women are expected, rather moulded, to obey their husbands. Obedience, an expression of subservience to the Lord, as established by religion, is associated with husbands.
Again, there is explicit exploitation and weaponisation of religion not just to perpetuate but also to preserve patriarchy. An act of defiance by women is projected as sin.
The need of the hour is to bring life to the stagnant cultural norms. Education is the foundation which sets the path straight to bring positive changes in social behaviours. Gender sensitivity should be part of the curriculum and pedagogy.
Moreover, the correct interpretation of religion is important in Pakistani society, where radicalism and extremism have deep roots in the societal structure. Also, religious-political parties are supposed to use religion not as a weapon to pressure the government but to disseminate teachings of tolerance and coexistence in the political sphere of the country.
Lastly, religious teachings should be used to uplift individuals and society rather than to subjugate women.