Current Country Information
by Sophie Mixa
Pakistan is a developing third world country in Southeast Asia. It has faced many obstacles in throughout its short history and still continues to face these same obstacles today. The main conflicts that were present in the novel continue exist in Pakistan. There is still sexism against women and they are not treated equally in Pakistan. Women are fighting for their basic right for education and the right to be free in their own community. The Taliban is still a very controlling group that attacks people who speak out against them or don’t follow their rules. Along with these issues that appeared in the novel, the country also faces overpopulation, terrorism, poverty, illiteracy, and corruption.
The cause of these conflicts in Pakistan stem from the inconsistency of government and leaders in Pakistan. The Taliban does everything in its power to ensure people follow rules of the Quran to the extreme. The Taliban is the source of many of the problems in Pakistan like illiteracy, terrorism, sexism and corruption. The United States and other countries are trying to do everything in their power to stop the Taliban. On May 22, 2016, “The United States carried out an airstrike on the leader of the Afghan Taliban, probably killing him in a remote area just inside the Pakistan border in an operation likely to sink any immediate prospect for peace talks” (Khan). This quote explains that the Taliban is a major issue in Pakistan today and other countries are trying to stop them.
Under the Taliban, women in Pakistan are not equal to men but Pakistan is trying to protect women from getting beaten by their husbands. Recently, the government passed a law that helped victims of domestic abuse get away from their husband while they take legal action. In response, the Council of Islamic Ideology, a group of Muslims that advises the government, recommended passing a law that legally allows men to beat their wives lightly if they dress inappropriately or refuse sex. The government responded by saying Islam never supports violence against women or children. This is a very good sign and gives women hope for their futures.
In conclusion, Pakistan is still struggling with the conflicts that Malala wrote about in her novel. Pakistan and other countries are working hard to get rid of the Taliban and trying to get the government back on track. Pakistan is also trying to make life better for women. Hopefully, these conflicts will soon just be part of Pakistan’s history.
The cause of these conflicts in Pakistan stem from the inconsistency of government and leaders in Pakistan. The Taliban does everything in its power to ensure people follow rules of the Quran to the extreme. The Taliban is the source of many of the problems in Pakistan like illiteracy, terrorism, sexism and corruption. The United States and other countries are trying to do everything in their power to stop the Taliban. On May 22, 2016, “The United States carried out an airstrike on the leader of the Afghan Taliban, probably killing him in a remote area just inside the Pakistan border in an operation likely to sink any immediate prospect for peace talks” (Khan). This quote explains that the Taliban is a major issue in Pakistan today and other countries are trying to stop them.
Under the Taliban, women in Pakistan are not equal to men but Pakistan is trying to protect women from getting beaten by their husbands. Recently, the government passed a law that helped victims of domestic abuse get away from their husband while they take legal action. In response, the Council of Islamic Ideology, a group of Muslims that advises the government, recommended passing a law that legally allows men to beat their wives lightly if they dress inappropriately or refuse sex. The government responded by saying Islam never supports violence against women or children. This is a very good sign and gives women hope for their futures.
In conclusion, Pakistan is still struggling with the conflicts that Malala wrote about in her novel. Pakistan and other countries are working hard to get rid of the Taliban and trying to get the government back on track. Pakistan is also trying to make life better for women. Hopefully, these conflicts will soon just be part of Pakistan’s history.