True Crime

By Mishal Zia  January 15, 2026 In the early hours of 12 February 2024, Chaudhary Muhammad Adnan, a seasoned politician and former member of the Punjab Assembly, was fatally shot in broad daylight in Rawalpindi’s Civil Lines neighbourhood. The assassination of the 47‑year‑old, who had served as parliamentary secretary for social welfare and later revenue, sent shockwaves through Pakistan’s political establishment and underscored the fragile security climate for elected figures. Adnan’s death was more than a tragic killing; it was a moment that exposed deep rifts between political rivalries, allegations of vendetta and accusations that quickly enveloped the subsequent investigation. At a traffic signal near the city’s police lines, unidentified assailants riding a motorcycle opened fire, killing Adnan and leaving questions about motive and culpability lingering ever since.  Within days of the murder, Rawalpindi police registered a case of premeditated murder at the Civil Lines ...

By Mishal Zia | December 30, 2025 | Kabul, Afghanistan When the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, women across the country lost not only their freedoms but also their safety. Resistance came at an unbearable cost for many, as the story of sisters Tamana Piryani and Zarmina Piryani illustrates both the courage of Afghan women and the brutality of the regime that now governs them. Born and raised in Afghanistan, the sisters became involved in peaceful protests against Taliban rule. Their resistance was symbolic and non-violent: they spoke out online, shared messages on social media, and burned a burqa to protest the severe restrictions imposed on women's lives. The act was meant to highlight how women were being erased from public spaces under the Taliban's interpretation of religion. A video of the protest spread rapidly on social media. Soon after, Taliban supporters and armed militants publicly declared that the sisters should be beheaded. According to Z...

By Mishal Zia | June 8, 2025 | Islamabad, Pakistan There is an old saying that if a lion pretends to be a rabbit, that does not mean he will not kill. This seems particularly true in the story of Lal Masjid in 2007, when then-President Pervez Musharraf ordered a military operation to demolish the mosque. The official explanation claimed that the mosque was harboring terrorist groups linked to Afghanistan. Yet, the operation left scores of adults and children dead, and the true story behind this ruthless act remains far different from what was publicly presented. Years of research and firsthand accounts reveal a dark, hidden narrative. According to a senior colleague who witnessed the events, a minor girl from FATA, returning to her school dorm, found the dorm closed and had nowhere to stay. She called a trusted contact, Aunty Shamin, who allowed her in. What followed is chilling: the girl was later trafficked to a politician in Pakistan. When the school and the girl’s parents tried to ...

By Mishal Zia | April 15, 2024 | Islamabad, Pakistan According to the BBC, Pakistan is considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world for media representatives. Journalists who investigate corruption, expose abuse, or report on sensitive issues face constant threats, harassment, and even physical harm. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of Pakistan’s military, has been accused of monitoring journalists and using gathered information to justify arrests. This surveillance contributes to a climate of fear, making it difficult for reporters to carry out their work freely and safely. In 2023, Pakistan was ranked eleventh on the Committee to Protect Journalists’ (CPJ) Global Impunity Index, which measures how frequently journalists are killed without those responsible facing justice. While some provinces have laws protecting media personnel, these measures remain insufficient. At the federal level, a law was passed in 2021 to provide some safeguards, but ...

By Mishal Zia | September 18, 2024 | Shahdra, Pakistan A shocking act of violence has once again exposed the deep-rooted dangers women face in Pakistan simply for exercising their rights. On September, 2024, Constable Soman, a lady police officer stationed in Shahdra, was brutally shot in the head three times by a fellow officer, Muhammad Farooq, after she refused his marriage proposal. The attacker fled the scene immediately, leaving the victim lifeless. Police later arrived, recovered her body, and transferred it to the hospital for autopsy. The accused has now been arrested. This tragic case is not isolated. It echoes a horrifying incident in 2016 when 19-year-old Maria Sadqat was burned alive in her own home after rejecting a marriage proposal. Maria, who was teaching at a local school, had refused to marry the son of the school owner, citing that he was already married and twice her age. The assailants beat her, doused her with petrol, and set her on fire, ultimately causing her d...

By Mishal Zia | January 20, 2024 | Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan Twenty-one-year-old Abid Khan was shot dead on his wedding day in Peshawar, turning what should have been a celebration of love into a scene of tragedy. Abid was about to marry the love of his life when the unthinkable happened. His father, Riaz Khan, recounted the horror: "They killed Abid on the spot. He was my only son, the only breadwinner for our family. I am too old to work now." Family members have been waiting for justice ever since. "They killed Abid in January this year. We are still waiting for justice," said one relative. The incident also highlights cultural customs in Peshawar. During the wedding, the family barred the use of cameras and restricted photographing women, following local traditions in which women do not show their faces to anyone outside the family. The accused, Shahzad, Shabbir, and Shah Fahad, reportedly fled when the police raided their homes. The case brings att...

By Mishal Zia | August 12, 2024 | Naushahro Feroze, Sindh, Pakistan On July , 2024, in Naushahro Feroze, Sindh, Pakistan, Sobia Batool, 22, was brutally attacked by male members of her own family for seeking a divorce. In a horrifying act of violence, six men broke into her home while she was sleeping. One of them attacked her with a hatchet, deliberately attempting to sever her legs. Sobia recalls, "I screamed in pain and pleaded with him to stop, but he was like a man possessed. I even told him I will not seek divorce." Among the attackers were her father, Syed Mustafa Shah, her brothers, cousins, and uncles. This attack was a chilling example of punishment inflicted on women in rural and conservative regions of Pakistan for exercising their basic right to end a marriage. Sobia was immediately hospitalized in Nawabshah at the Peoples University of Medical and Health Sciences for Women, where she underwent major reconstructive surgery. She remains in critical condition, both...

By Mishal Zia | February 15, 2024 Three days ago, the assassination of Chaudhry Muhammad Adnan on February 12, 2024, in Rawalpindi has sent shockwaves through the nation. This was not a random act of violence. It was a brazen, calculated attack carried out in broad daylight near the Police Lines, a place supposedly secure and heavily monitored. The fact that gunmen could ride up on motorbikes and execute a former Member of the Punjab Assembly in front of dozens of witnesses exposes a terrifying truth about Pakistan: the powerful can act with impunity, and the state is either unable or unwilling to stop them. Chaudhry Adnan was a respected political figure who had served his community and contested elections with integrity. Yet his prominence did not shield him from death. The attack raises serious questions about the government’s ability to protect its citizens. Security protocols, if they existed, failed spectacularly, leaving one of the country’s elected leaders vulnerable in a city ...

By Mishal Zia  Dateline: 28th October, 2023  For decades, the Pakistan Army has operated as a state within a state, wielding unchecked power that undermines democracy and accountability. While it publicly claims to safeguard national security, in reality the army has prioritized its own influence over the welfare of the people, shaping politics, policy, and governance to serve its institutional interests rather than the nation. The army’s political interference has consistently destabilized civilian governments. Elected leaders are often forced to compromise or resign under pressure, while decisions critical to the country’s future are dictated by military priorities. This domination has stifled democratic processes, leaving citizens voiceless in matters that directly affect their lives. Pakistan’s democracy has repeatedly been reduced to a façade, with true power concentrated in the hands of an unelected and unaccountable institution. Economically, the army’s control over key...

By: Mishal Zia  Dateline: March, 2023 Recent year 2023, Pakistan remains mired in political instability, systemic corruption, and a failing justice system that continues to undermine the rights of its citizens. The Pakistan Muslim League–Nawaz (PML‑N), which has been in and out of power for decades, has shown a consistent inability to implement reforms that address the deep structural problems of governance. Instead of prioritizing transparency, accountability, and the welfare of the people, the party’s policies have often served narrow political interests, enriching elites while leaving ordinary citizens in economic and social distress. Economic mismanagement has been a hallmark of the PML‑N government. Inflation rates have soared, essential commodities have become unaffordable for millions, and unemployment has reached alarming levels. While the government touts large infrastructure projects, these initiatives frequently lack proper oversight, resulting in massive financial leaka...

Violence against women in Pakistan, notably gang rape, entrenched rape culture, and honour killings, continued to expose profound social fractures, institutional failures, and a justice system struggling to hold perpetrators accountable. In 2022, the year unfolded with shocking cases that captivated national attention and generated both outrage and weary resignation, highlighting the limitations of legal reforms in confronting deeply entrenched patriarchal norms. Early in the year, a harrowing case from Sargodha drew widespread condemnation. A twenty-eight-year-old woman, gang-raped by four men, was shot dead by her own brother in what he claimed was an attempt to defend the family’s “honour.” The original rape, allegedly filmed by the perpetrators, had led to the registration of a first information report, yet the suspects were granted interim bail before any meaningful police action could be taken. Authorities later arrested the brother as he attempted to murder the alleged rapists. ...

By Mishal Zia  Dateline: 15 Jan, 2026 In Pakistan, acid attacks on women remain a horrifying form of gender-based violence that continues to shock communities and expose systemic failures in law enforcement and social protection. These attacks, which often leave survivors physically scarred and socially marginalized, are overwhelmingly perpetrated by men seeking revenge for perceived slights, rejection, or disputes over marriage and personal autonomy. In 2022, Pakistan reported several high-profile acid attacks that highlighted both the brutality of the crimes and the enduring gaps in justice. In Lahore, a young woman in her twenties was attacked by a former acquaintance after refusing his marriage proposal. The incident, widely covered in local media, left her with severe burns on her face and arms. The attacker was later arrested, but activists criticized the police for delays in filing the case and for insufficient protection of survivors prior to the attack. In Karachi, another...

By Mishal Zia  Dateline: 22nd of July, 2020 In 2022, human trafficking and migrant smuggling in Pakistan became a crisis shaped by both despair and institutional shortcomings. Across the year, thousands of Pakistanis, driven by stagnant wages, unemployment, and the hope of a better life abroad, became entangled in opaque networks promising passage to Europe, the Gulf, or other destinations. These journeys often required enormous fees and carried extreme risks. In March 2022, Islamabad hosted a high-level conference convened by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Federal Investigation Agency, alongside international partners, to discuss trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants. The gathering brought together diplomats, law enforcement officials, and civil society representatives to discuss legal frameworks, the need for inter-agency coordination, and prevention strategies. For some observers, however, the conference underscored how far official words sti...

By Mishal Zia  Dateline: 22nd June, 2022 In the spring of 2022, as Pakistan attempted to grapple with the triple pressures of political instability, economic crisis and spiralling narcotics flows, the country’s porous borders and weak enforcement infrastructure continued to allow organised drug syndicates to operate with alarming impunity. Official figures released by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) show that customs officers at Gwadar in February 2022 seized 8.5 kg of high‑quality methamphetamine‑ICE, and shortly afterwards a much larger haul of 3,000 kg of hashish off the Balochistan coast around Pasni, jointly with the Pakistan Navy. These drug consignments were valued in the hundreds of millions of Pakistani rupees, yet were recovered only after smugglers had already penetrated deep into national territory, highlighting the scale of trafficking operations beyond the reach of routine controls.  Border points such as Torkham, on the frontier with Afghanistan, were also sc...

Byline: Mishal Zia  Dateline: 23 December, 2022 ISLAMABAD — In 2022, Pakistan experienced a sharp and troubling rise in terrorism that exposed deep flaws in national security planning, intelligence coordination, and government resolve. According to a report by the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), terror attacks increased by 28 percent compared with the previous year, marking the highest level of militant violence the country had seen in more than five years. This rise has left civilians and security forces alike more vulnerable and has raised serious questions about the state’s ability to protect its citizens.  The PICSS report revealed that at least 376 terror attacks took place across Pakistan in 2022. These incidents resulted in 533 deaths and 832 injuries, making 2022 the most violent year since at least 2018, and the first time in recent memory that fatalities exceeded 500.  Business Recorder Pakistan had previously celebrated declines in...

By line: Mishal Zia Dateline: 22nd December 2021 — Islamabad, Pakistan ISLAMABAD:  In Pakistan, access to safe abortion remains severely restricted, leaving countless women to face life-threatening complications, social stigma, and legal uncertainty. Despite repeated international and domestic calls for reform, the state continues to limit reproductive rights, exposing women to unnecessary risks and undermining their autonomy over their own bodies. Legal Landscape and Restrictions Under Pakistan’s Penal Code 1860, abortion is criminalized except to save the life of the mother or preserve her physical or mental health. In practice, this legal framework is vague and inconsistently interpreted, leaving medical professionals uncertain and women at risk of prosecution. Abortion outside these narrow exceptions can be punished with fines or imprisonment. The law ignores the reality that many pregnancies result from rape, incest, or life-threatening health conditions, forcing women into un...

 Byline: Mishal Zia Dateline: 20th December 2021 — Radio Pakistan, Islamabad, Pakistan ISLAMABAD — In 2021, Pakistan’s major cities continued to face the constant threat of terrorism, exposing deep and systemic failures in governance, law enforcement, and urban security. Despite repeated assurances from government officials about eliminating militant networks, attacks continued to take place across Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, and Quetta, causing deaths, injuries, and widespread fear. The year’s events reveal not only the persistence of extremist networks but also the government’s inability to protect its citizens. Urban Attacks and Casualties On 5 January 2021, a suicide bombing in Quetta killed three policemen and injured over a dozen civilians. In March, Karachi’s bustling Saddar district became the scene of a gun attack that left six people dead. Peshawar suffered repeated attacks in mid‑2021, including a roadside bomb near a government office that killed four and wounded seven. ...

 Byline: Mishal Zia Dateline: 2nd December 2021 — Islamabad, Pakistan ISLAMABAD — Child abuse and exploitation in Pakistan in 2021 revealed a distressing crisis hidden beneath the surface of official statistics and public discourse. Tens of thousands of minors suffered sexual abuse, abduction, exploitation, and violence, often at the hands of people they knew, while the government’s response remained inadequate and justice elusive. This investigative report draws together documented events and expert reports from 2021 to expose the scale of the problem and the systemic failures that have let children down. Alarming Scale of Abuse in 2021 In 2021, comprehensive data from the child protection NGO Sahil revealed that at least 3,852 children were sexually abused across Pakistan during the year. This figure includes 2,068 girls and 1,784 boys, meaning that on average more than 10 children were abused every day in 2021. The reported forms of abuse included rape, gang rape, sodomy, gang s...

Byline: Mishal Zia Dateline: 2nd November 2021 — Radio Pakistan, Islamabad, Pakistan ISLAMABAD: In 2021, women and girls in Pakistan continued to face brutal violence at alarming rates. Honour killings and femicide remain among the most shocking and persistent forms of gender-based violence. Despite laws designed to protect women, societal acceptance of such violence, weak enforcement, and systemic failures by authorities have allowed perpetrators to act with impunity. This investigative report examines the prevalence, consequences, and specific events of honour killings and femicide in 2021, while critiquing the government and legal system. The Scope of Honour Killings Data from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and other official sources show that hundreds of honour killings were recorded in 2021. At least 478 honour killings of women were documented across the country, with Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan reporting significant numbers. These figures likely u...

 Byline: Mishal Zia Dateline: 2nd October 2021 — Islamabad, Pakistan ISLAMABAD — In 2021, child marriage in Pakistan continued to rob children, especially girls, of their childhoods, education, health, and basic human rights. Despite constitutional guarantees, international agreements, and scattered reforms, the government’s response has been weak and inconsistent. This investigation exposes the widespread harm of child marriage, the state’s failure to protect its most vulnerable citizens, and the grave societal costs that follow. A Widespread Crisis Child marriage in Pakistan means girls are forced into wedlock before they reach adulthood, a violation of their rights under both international and domestic law. UNICEF and other organisations estimate that roughly one in six girls in Pakistan is married before age eighteen, and significant numbers are married even younger. These marriages are most common in rural areas where poverty and patriarchal norms are strongest and enforcement...

Byline: Mishal Zia Dateline: 3rd June 2021 — Islamabad, Pakistan ISLAMABAD — In offices, factories, and professional workplaces across Pakistan, women continue to earn significantly less than men for performing the same work. Despite laws guaranteeing equality and policies aimed at closing the wage gap, the reality in 2021 shows that systemic inequality remains deeply entrenched. This investigative report examines the causes, consequences, and key developments regarding the gender pay gap in Pakistan. The Data Speaks According to the Global Gender Gap Report 2021 and local labor studies, women in Pakistan earn on average 35 to 40 percent less than men in comparable positions. The gap is wider in private sector jobs and in rural areas, where women are often employed informally and without any formal contract. In urban corporate offices, women are more likely to occupy junior or administrative roles, while men dominate leadership and technical positions, further widening the pay disparit...

 Byline: Mishal Zia Dateline: 3rd June 2021 — Islamabad, Pakistan ISLAMABAD — In Pakistan, women’s voices in the political arena remain constrained despite decades of progress in legal rights and representation. While the constitution guarantees equality and affirmative measures exist to increase female participation, the reality in 2021 shows persistent barriers that limit women’s influence and leadership. This investigative report examines the factors affecting women’s political participation, key events of 2021, and the broader implications for democracy in the country. The Numbers Tell the Story Women in Pakistan make up nearly half the population, yet they remain significantly underrepresented in political decision-making. In the 2018 general elections, women secured only a small number of general seats, with most of their representation coming through reserved quotas. By 2021, despite ongoing awareness campaigns, the participation of women in political parties, local governme...

 Byline: Mishal Zia Dateline: 3rd June 2021 — Islamabad, Pakistan ISLAMABAD — In offices, factories, and workplaces across Pakistan, a hidden crisis continues to threaten the dignity, safety, and careers of working women. What is rarely spoken about openly has profound consequences for the lives of women in the workforce. This investigative report examines the situation in 2021, highlighting legal gaps, cultural barriers, and real-life experiences of harassment. A Widespread Problem Workplace harassment is pervasive in Pakistan but remains underreported. Surveys in 2021 indicated that between seventy-five and eighty percent of working women face some form of harassment at their workplace. This harassment includes inappropriate comments, unwanted attention, physical intimidation, and direct sexual advances. Many women do not report these incidents because they fear victim-blaming, losing their jobs, or damaging their reputation. The implementation of the Protection Against Harassmen...

Byline: Mishal Zia Dateline: 3rd June 2021 — Islamabad, Pakistan ISLAMABAD — In the heart of Pakistan’s classrooms, beneath the surface of official policies and public statements, a harsh reality emerges. Women and girls continue to face systemic barriers to education. This investigation, based on events and data from 2021, uncovers how cultural, economic, and political factors are denying women and girls their fundamental right to learn. The Alarming Statistics In 2021, Pakistan ranked among the worst countries globally for gender disparities in education. The Global Gender Gap Report placed Pakistan near the bottom in educational attainment for women. Educational surveys showed a significant enrollment gap between boys and girls. Cultural expectations, early marriages, and financial difficulties forced thousands of girls to leave school by adolescence. Government and independent sources also revealed that many girls did not have access to nearby schools. Systemic Barriers Even when s...

By Mishal Zia – 1st December 2021 Islamisation and women’s rights in Pakistan are often presented as compatible, yet in reality, they exist in direct opposition. Islamic law, known as Shariah-e-law, is hailed as the moral backbone of the Muslim community, yet in Pakistan it has been repeatedly manipulated to oppress women rather than protect them. Despite the country’s multicultural and multi-religious identity, Islamic principles dominate legal and public life, often enforced or defended by the state and its institutions, including the army, which has historically played a central role in shaping and maintaining these laws. One of the most infamous cases exposing the misuse of Islamic law involved Safia Bibi, an unmarried blind woman from the Northwest Frontier Province, who was charged under the Zina Ordinance after an unnatural pregnancy. She was sentenced to three years in prison, fifteen lashes, and a fine of one hundred rupees, while her attacker went free. The judge claimed insu...

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, August 20, 2021 by Mishal Zia  Recent Year 2021, the world continued to witness the deadly consequences of honour-based violence and forced marriage, particularly affecting women who resist family-imposed restrictions on marriage and autonomy. One high-profile case that drew international attention involved Saman Abbas, an 18-year-old woman in Italy of Pakistani descent who went missing in April 2021. She had refused to accept a family-arranged marriage and intended to marry a man of her own choice. Authorities feared she had been killed in an honour-based attack by family members, highlighting the extreme risks faced by women who challenge traditional family expectations. Her disappearance sparked protests and demands for stronger protections against forced marriages and honour violence. In Scotland, reports emerged of Fawziyah Javed, a British-Pakistani lawyer who had faced domestic abuse and was reportedly planning to separate from her husband. In September ...