[Current Affairs] August 13, 2020 Top Pakistan Current Affairs for Entry Test Preparation

What’s going on? A group of Pakistani women journalists and commentators issued a joint statement seeking protection against “vicious attacks” on social media. According to the statement, women with differing viewpoints, and those whose reports have been critical of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) govt, are the ones being targeted.

The details: The joint statement is pointing fingers at govt officials for instigating online attacks, which are amplified by a swarm of Twitter accounts that declare their affiliation with the ruling party. The statement also claims that a coordinated campaign is trying to discredit, frighten, and intimidate women working in Pakistan’s media space. These women have reportedly been called “peddlers of fake news,” and “enemy of the people,” while being accused of taking bribes. They are allegedly coming across gender-based slurs and threats of sexual/physical violence on their social media timelines as well.

The statement ordered the govt to:

• Stop its members from targeting women in the media.
• Send a cease and desist message to party members, followers and supporters so they refrain from directly or indirectly targeting women journalists and commentators.
• Take action against people within the govt who are behind these attacks.

The statement also called on the Standing Committees on Human Rights of parliament to take notice and hold the govt accountable.

The bottom line: The statement is trying to drive home this key point – women in media are targeted for both their work and gender. As a result, it is becoming harder for them to do their jobs, share information, and engage freely.

Abiha Haider made her debut in the Pakistan women’s national football team in 2010, when she was just 13-and-a-half years old. Recently, at the age of 24, she was included in a list of ‘30 Most Powerful Muslim Women in Sports.’ Haider, who is originally from Pakistan, grew up playing football and didn’t have many role models. Now, she wants young people, parents and families to look up to her so they realize football is safe for girls. Luckily, Haider’s family supported her, even though her extended family was not very encouraging. Haider also took her final law exams at the University of London and is waiting for her results. The next item on her bucket list is establishing a football academy for underprivileged girls. Haider, you are goals