Khan, A. (2006). After TV Series, Pakistan Rethinks Rape, Sex Laws. Christian Science Monitor, 98(157), 1-10.

Geo Television Network is a private station that has emerged in recent years. To determine whether the Hudood Ordinances are divine or man-made, Geo TV organized a show called “Zara Sochieye” – it literally translates to “Just Think” in Urdu. In this show, Islamic scholars, clerics, muftis, and jurists were invited to debate on the issue. Despite the fact that scholars were from various schools of thought, they all agreed that the law was flawed and needed change. Mohammad Farooq Khan, a religious scholar, stated, “The biggest flaw in the ordinance is that it does not distinguish between fornication and rape.”

Although one cannot say that this television show is the main reason why Hudood Ordinances came under spotlight, it certainly began a conversation about its repeal. It also brought attention to some of the statistics, which were either not talked about or not well known at that time. For instance, in 2005, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan reported that out of the 6,000 women imprisoned, two-thirds cases were directly related to Hudood. I think that when people see such high rates of imprisonment due to Hudood Ordinances, they can understand the restrictive nature of these laws. The opinion of public matters a lot because, theoretically, they can influence the government’s decisions about amendments of such laws. So having shows like this being aired on national television can prove to be a catalyst in the improvement of women’s rights.

Khan mentions that the Islamic Ideology Council, which is comprised of up to 20 scholars from both Sunni and Shiite sects, is a constitutional body created for advising the government on religious laws. My next step should be to find more about how this legal body functions. Although this is not on my immediate to-do list, I am also going to peruse through sections of the show and understand both sides of the debate.