The recent acid attack that left Dr. Mahnoor Nasir with 13% burns is yet another grim indictment of our society. While the swift 'police encounter' that neutralized the attacker within hours in Quetta provides a veneer of justice, and the arrangement of a people air ambulance by provincial government to Karachi for her treatment offers a glimmer of hope, the fundamental rot remains. This tragedy raises a harrowing question: what drives a man to reduce a female surgeon to a target? It exposes the deep-rooted patriarchal psyche that refuses to accept women as equals, regardless of their qualifications, dedication, or stature. We are forced to confront an uncomfortable truth, in our society, a woman’s brilliance is often perceived as a threat that must be burned away rather than celebrated it reflects an attitude that treats women as inferior and refuses to respect their choices. It is essential to tell our young people, clearly and repeatedly, that women are full human beings. We must also speak openly about parts of the country where violence against women continues to be preserved under the cloak of “custom” and “tradition.”The backward practices common in tribal societies are not simply “culture.” They are the products of a Semi-feudal order that views women not as autonomous citizens but as private property or units of exchange. A deep look at these practices reveals underlying material interests and class dominance.

Denying women inheritance is not an emotional whim; it is an economic strategy. In the feudal arrangement, concentrating land and wealth in male hands prevents the distribution of economic power. Depriving women of inheritance keeps them dependent for life on a father, brother or husband. These economic chains are a primary reason women remain politically and socially marginalized.

The custom of “lub” (receiving money in exchange for a marriage) is the most blatant commodification of a human being. When family relationships are traded for cash, they cease to be relationships and become commercial transactions. This practice reflects an attitude that regards a daughter as a material asset to be sold for economic gain. Likewise, “maat lafi” (betrothal before birth) is an assault on basic rights, where families barter away children’s futures to secure their own economic or tribal interests.

To dismiss “saih kari or karo kari” (branding a woman with accusations of dishonour) as merely an issue of “honour” is to be deceived. It is a weapon to enforce male dominance over women’s bodies and movement. By keeping women in constant fear, these practices prevent them from imagining social or economic freedom. Observations show that accusations of “Karo kari” are often used to settle property disputes or to humiliate rivals.

The record of women’s suffering in Balochistan is long. They are routinely denied rightful inheritance. The province has too few educational institutions for girls.While the provincial government has launched few more positive measures, bus services for women in the urban Center, the Pink Scooter scheme and legislation to prevent child marriage .To address the systemic issues surrounding women’s safety and autonomy in Balochistan, institutional and structural reforms must move beyond reactive measures to proactive, protective frameworks. Building upon the necessity of complaint cells and accessible helplines.and The legal process is often daunting and slow for the women. Specialized courts with trained judges and prosecutors, who possess a deep understanding of the sociopolitical nuances of tribal dynamics, would ensure faster delivery of justice and reduce the trauma associated with long-term litigation. Public officials, law enforcement agencies (LEAs), and hospital administration staff must undergo regular, rigorous training on gender equality and human rights. This training should emphasize the legal implications of “customary” violence to ensure that the police do not treat such cases as private or communal matters.Given the vulnerability of medical professionals, hospitals must implement high-security protocols, including panic buttons in all examination rooms, restricted access to staff quarters, and dedicated security escorts for those on late-night shifts.The goverment must move beyond symbolic gestures to enforce existing inheritance laws through land revenue departments. Automating property records and requiring mandatory legal verification of female ownership during transfers can help dismantle the economic strategy that keeps women dependent. Promote bank accounts and mobile wallet access for women, particularly in rural areas. By ensuring that government subsidies or employment wages are deposited directly into a woman's personal account, the state provides an essential layer of economic independence. Educational institutions should integrate discussions on human rights, the equality of citizens, and the rejection of harmful “customary” practices into the core curriculum. Schools must be safe spaces that teach young men and women to reject the commodification of their peers. While goverment intervention is vital, engaging progressive local elders, teachers, and religious scholars to challenge practices like 'lub' and 'maat lafi' from within the community can help shift the internal social narrative that permits these abuses.The provincial government should maintain a centralized, anonymized database of reported incidents of violence. This data would allow policymakers to identify "hotspots" and recurring patterns of abuse, enabling the deployment of resources to the areas where women are most at risk.Establish committees comprising civil society members, activists, and legal experts to monitor the performance of provincial complaint cells. This ensures that these cells do not become bureaucratic formalities but remain effective tools for accountability. Media outlets should move beyond reporting crimes to profiling women who are successfully navigating professional or educational spaces. By highlighting successful, independent women, the public discourse can slowly erode the antiquated view that women are merely "property."The shift from a culture of silence to one of active protection requires constant state vigilance. By codifying rights in a way that is enforceable at the local, institutional, and economic levels, the province can begin to dismantle the structural barriers that have historically held women back.

Abdul Ghaffar bugti prominent Baloch journalist, columnist and human rights activist from Balochistan, Pakistan