(Web Desk) — Actress Amna Ilyas has voiced her concerns about safety in Pakistan, emphasizing the urgent need for strict punishment for rapists and harassers.
Speaking to private TV channel Aaj News, Ilyas shared her fears about the lack of safety for women, including herself, in the country. She expressed concern that if she were to face such an incident, the law might not protect her if the other party were powerful, highlighting a belief that justice in Pakistan often favors the influential over the poor.
Ilyas, known for her outspoken advocacy for women’s empowerment, plays a leading role in the newly released romantic-comedy film Mastaani, directed by Usman Rizvi. The film, which debuted on Friday, also marks the film debut of Affan Waheed, a well-known drama actor. In the movie, Ilyas’s character, Aliya, addresses societal taboos and women’s issues, particularly around freedom and marriage choices.
Pakistan ranks 145th out of 146 countries on the gender equality index. According to a report by the Sustainable Social Development Organization, 6,624 rape cases were registered in Punjab in 2023, equating to one woman being raped every 45 minutes. The report was released on International Women’s Day this year.
Ilyas lamented the inadequacies of the legal system, stating that it often fails to deliver justice. She expressed her commitment to speaking out for women’s rights and urged the government and judiciary to take decisive action to curb the ongoing issues of rape and harassment in the country.
Referring to the high-profile Noor Mukadam case, where the perpetrator was sentenced to death but continues to sit in jail, Ilyas criticized the slow progress in ensuring justice. Noor Mukadam, a 27-year-old woman, was brutally murdered at Zahir Jaffar’s residence in Islamabad in July 2021. Jaffar was sentenced to death in 2022, a verdict that was upheld by the Islamabad High Court, which also converted his 25-year jail term into an additional death sentence. However, Jaffar has since filed an appeal with the Supreme Court against the death sentence.
Ilyas expressed her sorrow for the women who have suffered similar fates and called for exemplary punishments to deter future offenders. She urged the judiciary to take more proactive steps to address the systemic issues that allow such crimes to persist.
When asked about her new film, Ilyas recommended Mastaani as a must-watch for women and children, noting that the movie tackles important societal issues.
