Rival visions for women's rights in Pakistan | DW News

In Pakistan, women coming together to rally against patriarchy and sexual harassment became a flashpoint across cities in what has become an annual event and a test of wills between some authorities who would rather not see them take place, and persistent women demanding their rights. What those rights should be also remains a point of contention between women themselves in the majority conservative, Muslim country. DW's Beenish Javed reports from Islamabad. Women's marches were not the only protests in Pakistan the last 24 hours. Former prime minister Imran Khan's supporters, some of whom brandished sticks, clashed with police in Lahore.

Officers responded by firing tear gas. One demonstrator reportedly died, others were injured, and more were detained. The escalation prompted Khan to call off a planned rally, and he accused the government of intentionally making the situation worse. The city had banned public gatherings earlier in the day in a move widely viewed as specifically targeting Khan. He has already been targeted on air - or rather, taken off air. Pakistan's media regulator has banned broadcasts of Khan's speeches on charges he is spreading hate against the nation's institutions, a reference to the all-powerful military.

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