Meerwala rape case

The recent acquittal of five of the six men accused for the public gang rape of Mukhtaran Bibi by a division bench of the Lahore High Court, has not just horrified human rights activists and members of General Musharraf's silent majority, but many "Pakistan Watchers" around the world.
The country had been outraged on hearing of the rape of Mukhtaran Bibi in front of the village elders, who was then further humiliated by being forced to walk naked through the streets of her village. Even the international media had taken up the issue and the Supreme Court had been forced to take suo moto action because of the pressure.
The SC had ordered the police to take action and the six accused were finally arrested, tried in an anti-terrorism court, found guilty and awarded capital punishment. However the LHC division bench has ruled that "the evidence produced before the trial court was insufficient and there were faults in the police investigation".
As such, one of the accused has had his sentence reduced from death by hanging, to 25 years jail and the other five accused of rape have been acquitted.
The judgement of LHC has proved the time-old saying that justice is indeed blind, especially in Pakistan and judgments and punishments must only be based on evidence presented to the honourable court, irrespective of the true facts or what the victim may have suffered.
Our vocal minority must be very pleased and happy, as they are firm believers that panchayats, jirgas and karo kari are time-old traditions, that are part of our culture and heritage and must be preserved and protected at all costs. Even our enlightened Wasi Zafar, Minister for Law and Justice, is reported to have stated that there is no need to amend the Pakistan Penal Code or Criminal Procedure Code relating to honour killings and other such matters.
No doubt, those who have been released, will be given a hero's welcome, garlanded with bright red roses and sweets will be distributed in the village for the safe return of the sons of the soil, for such is the proud custom in this country.
In the meantime a tearful Mukhtaran Bibi has declared: "My life now has no purpose-my case is now in the court of God". She has challenged the verdict and vowed to appeal to the Supreme Court, but unfortunately, in due course, she will perhaps be declared a kari and killed and will lie in the streets for the villagers to see and then be buried in the jungle on the outskirts of the village, without a tombstone, as a dishonoured woman cannot be buried in concentrated grounds, for such is the custom in our land.
And other unfortunate, but brave women of this land of enlightened leaders will walk in fear, knowing well that justice is indeed blind in this land of the pure and the honest. As Kishwar Naheed has written: "I am the woman whom you bought and sold in the name of my own chastity, not knowing that I can walk on water when I am drowning:"
Will General-President Mushrraf's silent majority stand up for the unfortunate lady and demand justice? For my part, all I can do is hang my head in shame and express my disgust, anger and frustration in these few lines.