Interviews

Fatima Bhutto: Pakistan Lacks Effort in Crafting Laws to Protect Women

In an exclusive interview with VCast Online, author and activist Fatima Bhutto candidly assessed the state of women’s rights in Pakistan. She expressed skepticism about the impact of current efforts and called for tangible action to address ongoing challenges.

Bhutto’s remarks illuminated the persistent struggle for gender equality in the country, pointing out a perceived lack of concerted efforts to enact legislative changes that would better protect and support women. “I don’t think anyone is working hard to make the laws protect women or support women,” she asserted, emphasizing the need for a more proactive approach to addressing systemic issues.

She continued, “I don’t think anyone is sitting there in a concerted way trying to alleviate the difficulty that women face all over this country. I don’t see that as an effort.” However, drawing attention to the resilience and determination of Pakistani women, Bhutto acknowledged their relentless pursuit of space and recognition in various spheres of society. “But at the same time, Pakistani women do great things and they fight for their space,” she remarked.

Undone Work – Fatima Bhutto

Even so, Bhutto tempered this praise with a call for greater action and accountability. Despite the inspiring efforts of Pakistani women, she emphasized that significant work remains to be done to effect meaningful change. “The room that women have, whether you’re talking in the city, or in the interior or you are talking in a home, or in a neighbourhood, or in a society – whatever space exists, exists because women fight for it,” she explained. She added, “So, Pakistani women in that sense are, of course, an inspiration. But I think a lot of work needs to be done. I don’t think we deserve congratulations yet.”

At a crucial juncture for women’s rights in Pakistan, amidst ongoing debates and activism surrounding issues such as gender-based violence, access to education and healthcare, and economic empowerment, Bhutto’s comments are made. Her insights serve as a sobering reminder of the challenges that persist and the urgent need for sustained advocacy and reform efforts.

As her words reverberate across the country, they prompt reflection and action among policymakers, activists, and citizens alike. The call to prioritize women’s rights and address systemic barriers resonates deeply, challenging society to uphold its commitments to equality and justice for all.

Also Read: Fatima Bhutto Criticizes Bollywood Stars for Glamorizing Babri Masjid’s Destruction

Interviews

Jawad Ahmad Calls Society’s Tolerance of Profanity ‘Dangerous’

Singer-turned-politician Jawad Ahmad raised concerns about society’s growing tolerance for vulgarity and profanity.

He recalled his upbringing, saying, “In the household I grew up in, using curse words was unthinkable—whether on my mother’s side or my father’s.” Jawad explained that both of his parents, being educators, taught him respect, and he never heard foul language in his family.

Defining profanity, the Hamain Tum Se Pyar Hai singer said it includes using hateful or false labels to insult someone, such as calling them something they are clearly not—like comparing them to an animal.

He added that curse words also include vulgar references to body parts, misogynistic insults directed at mothers or sisters, or hateful remarks about someone’s caste, appearance, or profession. “Such language isn’t just rude—it targets a person’s character in a senseless way,” Jawad emphasized.

Jawad Ahmad and His Music

Jawad Ahmad rose to fame with his solo song Allah Meray Dil Kay Ander, which reflected his deep interest in Sufism.

Although he never received formal training in music, he writes and composes most of his own songs. He takes inspiration from a wide range of musical legends, including Ustad Amanat Ali Khan, Mehdi Hassan, Ustad Salamat Ali Khan, Tufail Niazi, Pathanay Khan, Hamid Ali Bela, Madam Noor Jehan, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Kishore Kumar, the Eagles, Elvis Presley, and Mohammed Rafi.

To date, Jawad Ahmad has made his mark in the music industry with three solo albums and several drama OSTs.

Also Read: Jawad Ahmad sues Abrar ul Haq

Interviews

Sania Mirza On How Mothers Do More Than Fathers

Sania Mirza is a global tennis stars. She has achieved a lot for tennis in India and she has always also received love from Pakistan. She was married to cricketer Shoaib Malik and the ex-couple had a son together. She was also loved for how she represented women fiercely in sports. She was a guest on Masoom Minawala’s podcast and she shared her journey and thoughts.

Sania Mirza spoke about her pregnancy challenges. She shared that overall having her baby was a breeze. Yes, she like other women had to go through a lot physically but what actually affected her was breastfeeding. The career she has, a busy lifestyle as a working mom and how she had to go through mom guilt was difficult. She left for work for the first time after six weeks of having Izhaan. She was pumping milk during flight and she had so much mom guilt when she left him behind.

The sports star also shared how it is never 50-50 between both parents when it comes to parenthood. A mother always ends up doing more and this is not an equal world. This is a norm everywhere in the world and it is not bound to one place or one country. A mother gives more in terms of taking care of the child.

Interviews

Ghazal Siddiqui Shares Life Threatening Incident Involving Her Son

Ghazal Siddiqui is a senior PTV artist who has worked in numerous plays including her claim to the fame project Marvi. She has also busted Hum TV’s morning transmission for a longer period of time. Her other notable dramas are Dhoop Kinaray, Sij Girhan, Woh Kon Hai and Chaand Tara. Ghazal Siddiqui is happily married and has grown up kids. Her family is settled in Canada.

Recently, she appeared in ARY Digital’s morning show Good Morning Pakistan. In the show, she opened up about a life threatening incident involving her son.

Talking about it, Ghazal Siddiqui said, “There was an important occasion on which my kids requested to light firecrackers, so we arranged firecrackers and distributed them among the children. My son was very young, he took all his firecrackers from and put them in his pocket. Although I was supervising everything but someone lit a firecracker nearby, and one in his pocket caught fire. The firecrackers in his pocket started bursting one by one. I don’t know where I got the courage, but I immediately tore off his shirt and threw it away. It was such a scary incident — my son was in shock, watching me tear his shirt like that”.

Nida Yasir also shared a related incident. She said, “I caught a bullet in my car because someone at a wedding fired it into the air which hit our car and the wind screen was all broken and the next day I picked the bullet from the car.”