SADIQ Journal of Pakistan Studies

“Weep, O’ People! Weep”: Tracing the Roots of Shia Community’s Weeping, Devotional Rituals and Religious Institutions in Persia and Pre-Colonial India (680-1820)

Ayyaz Gull — 2025-06-29

This research paper tries to trace the roots of Shia’s community azadari based weeping through the study of devotional rituals and religious institutions in Persia and pre-colonial India. By starting from the tragedy of Karbala in 680, the devotional rituals and institution such as majlis, tazia, living symbols zuljinah and imambargah evolved through various phases in Persia, Damascus and Madina. This study also explores the impact of Shias migration to India and the dissemination of the religious ritualized weeping in Indian environment. Moreover, it also highlights the role of various dynasties, Sultanates, Shia kingdoms and Mughal empire in evoking the Shia’s community weeping through rituals and religious institutions in pre-colonial India. The culture of weeping has a great significance in Shia community. By using the methodologies of the ‘history of emotions’ this study explores that weeping is one of the fundamental sources to construct and preserve Shia identity.

Socio-Cultural Constraints to Women's Empowerment

Saima Rani — 2025-06-29

Women's empowerment is an important global objective, and it is connected with sustainable development, inclusive governance, and human rights. The key dimension to this is political empowerment: women's opportunity to participate equally in leadership, decision-making and policy formulation. On a global level, there has been much progress made. However, there are still many challenges facing some countries, such as Pakistan; socio-cultural dynamics play a huge part in affecting gender equality. Patriarchal norms, traditional practices and religious interpretation shape Pakistan's socio-cultural landscape in a way that debilitates women. Honour culture, limited mobility and deep-seated gender roles inhibit women's participation in political processes. The social barriers, such as educational disparities, economic dependence, and political violence, intensify this exclusion. These barriers work together to create an insurmountable obstacle to significant women's representation in governance and, consequently, to democratic progress. In Pakistani politics, this article examines barriers to women's participation and leadership. It also looks at successful case studies, grassroots movements, and voting participation over time as evidence of progress in facing challenges. According to the article, systemic reforms are essential to make such reforms effective, from strengthening gender quotas to preventing political violence to creating a welcoming political environment. Gender equality as a priority can lead to Pakistan having more excellent political representation and moving the country in a direction that carries the daydreams of a democratic and forward Pakistan.

Navigating Muslim Ethics: Feminist Waves and the Argument for Recognizing Compensation for Household Activities

Kamran Ahmed — 2025-06-29

This paper critically examines evolving issues of gender justice in Islamic contexts, focusing on the connections between Islamic ethics, feminism, and specifically the argument of “unpaid domestic work”. It explores the historical context of Islamic feminism, identifying key figures and movements that reinterpreted Islamic texts to advocate for gender equality. This article explores contemporary debates about women's unpaid domestic work, examining arguments for and against wages in feminist and Islamic circles. It also examines the role of Islamic rights in shaping women's rights, the complexities of patriarchal interpretations, and their impact on changing family and social norms. While supporting traditional values and contemporary women's movements, this study highlights the challenges and possibilities of achieving gender justice while remaining true to Islamic teachings. The study concludes by emphasizing the need for ongoing discussion and research to bridge the gap between traditional and modern understandings of gender equity and to promote gender roles and equitable treatment of women in Muslim societies.

Dire Consequences: Examining the Social Impacts of Poor Sanitation and Polluted Water on Community and Institutional Dynamics

Muhammad Salman Rao — 2025-06-29

This study looks into the often overlooked effects that water pollution and inadequate sanitation have on local social institutions. This research takes a novel approach by looking at the ripple effects of environmental challenges on social structures, norms, and community cohesion, whereas previous research has primarily focused on the health implications of these kinds of challenges. The research was conducted in a rural area called Chak 141 Jahanian, located near Khanewal District in Punjab, Pakistan. Data were gathered by using convenience sampling technique and a mixed-methods approach, which included surveys, interviews, and on-site observations of communities with poor sanitation and unhygienic water sources. The results showed a complicated web of relationships between community social fabric and environmental stressors. It has been discovered that poor sanitation and water pollution have profound, diverse impacts on a range of social institutions, such as political behavior, religion, family dynamics, educational systems, and the economy. Important findings show that pitiable sanitation and water quality aggravate social injustices, upset established roles and responsibilities, obstruct educational attainment, and weaken community cohesion. The findings also sheds light on potential areas for intervention and support by highlighting the resilience and coping strategies used by communities to mitigate these negative effects. This study highlights the significance of taking the social aspects of environmental challenges into account, which adds to the larger conversation on sustainable development and public health. It recognizes the significant impact that inadequate sanitation and water pollution have on the social institutions that support community well-being and advocates for a more comprehensive approach to addressing these issues. Understanding these intricate dynamics is crucial for policymakers, public health officials, and community leaders when designing effective interventions to mitigate the impact of poor sanitation and polluted water on communities and their social institutions.

Educating the Nation's Mothers: The Gendered Vision and Educational Legacy of Anjuman Himayat-e-Islam Lahore in Colonial Punjab (1884–1947)

Razia Yasmin — 2025-06-29

This Paper examines the inspirational model of Anjuman Himayat-e-Islam Lahore (AHIL)in the education and empowerment of Muslim Women in Colonial Punjab between 1884and1947. Although Colonialism and missionary activities had brought in new models of female education, AHIL presented an Islamic and nationalist alternative to the exclusion of Muslim women from education. This research explores how AHIL deliberately established schools, colleges, orphanages, and vocational institutions to educate women intellectually, spiritually, and economically. Based on historical facts and institutional achievements, the article places AHIL's work in larger reformist and anti-colonial currents and contends its transformative function in reshaping Muslim womanhood in British India. This article suggests that the Anjuman Himayat-e-Islam (AHIL) in the colonial period revolutionized Muslim womanhood and education in Punjab. It set up Muslim girl orphanages, colleges, vocational training centers, and schools, acknowledging Muslim women as future mothers and guardians of Islamic values despite sociopolitical marginalization.

Strategic Trust in the Skies: Sino-Pakistan Collaboration and Aerial Security in South Asia (1951–1999)

Xing Xuanyu — 2025-06-29

This study critically examines the evolution of China-Pakistan defense and diplomatic relations from 1951 to 1999, focusing on military technology transfer and strategic alignment. By limiting the scope to 1999, we contextualize the partnership within the Cold War’s structural constraints, avoiding the confounding variables of post-9/11 geopolitics. Utilizing scholarly insight, archival sources, and regional perspectives, it analyses how bilateral cooperation—initially driven by shared ideology and regional insecurity—matured into a strategic pact grounded in mutual trust and technological interdependence. Countering critiques that characterized Chinese military exports as outdated or opportunistic, this study argues that platforms like the F-6 (J-6), A-5 (Q-5), and later the jointly developed JF-17 effectively addressed Pakistan’s critical strategic needs, especially during periods of Western disengagement. The research integrates archival counter-narratives and scholarly discourse for a balanced and historically contextualized analysis. While acknowledging the domestic financial burdens and technical dependencies this alliance created for Pakistan, the study contends that Chinese military technology served as a vital diplomatic conduit—cementing a long-term strategic partnership and reshaping regional power dynamics. The findings underscore the enduring relevance of this historical partnership as both nations navigate contemporary geopolitical shifts in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia.

Climate Change and Hydro-politics in South Asia: A Critical Analysis of the Indus Waters Treaty

Zainab Rehman — 2025-06-29

The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) signed between India and Pakistan in 1960 has been cited as a model of transboundary water agreement even in a situation where the political relationship has been frosty since then. Yet, the 21^st century puts the full strain on this treaty as geopolitical tensions and unequal powers spread along with the increasing consequences of climate change. This paper critically analyzes the nexus between water security and interstate competition in South Asia regarding the resilience and relevance of the IWT in managing changing hydrological realities and the increasing national security concerns. With the use of hydro politics and securitization theory, this study examines how the lack of water created by climatic changes is becoming politicized and securitized in the India-Pakistan relationship. It explores the possibility of the trend of unilateral water infrastructure development, suspension of treaties, and cross-border finger-pointing that manifests itself in the light of terrorism, reflecting a shift in cooperative relations to a coercive one.

Human Rights in Pakistan: Obligations, Challenges, and Compliance with International Standards

Samina Yasmeen — 2025-06-29

This article reviews the human rights concerns in Pakistan in relation to its international treaty obligations. The focus is to evaluate Pakistan’s adherence to international human rights benchmarks with particular consideration for civil rights, women’s issues, minorities, and children. With a qualitative approach using documents as primary sources, this research analyzes constitutional and legal documents, as well as institutional frameworks. This research Study reflects a large number of political problems such as instability, sociocultural factors, economic disparities, and ineffective governance that create hurdles in fulfilling these responsibilities. Although the government of Pakistan has recently made there some policy changes and legal adjustments, this work reveals a significant gap that exist between what Pakistan commits internationally and what is practiced nationally. In order to close the gaps in compliance with international standards, this article provides practical solutions for bolstering legal provisions pertaining to human rights advocacy and enforcement, improving institutional responsibility, and raising public awareness of human rights issues.