Children for sale? |
The News on Sunday
Poverty and the surging prices of essential commodities have forced a vast majority of the population - already living below the poverty line - to resort to desperate measures. In this regard, the case of Aisha Malik that made headlines across the country stands out. Aisha put her children on sale in a busy Hyderabad market to get the attention of the media and the society on the whole. A few months prior to this tragic event, Aisha had appealed to civil society organisations to get her husband release from a jail in Sukkur. Aisha said that her husband, Zahid Malik, had been implicated in several false cases (because he married Aisha out of love) and since he was the sole bread earner of the family, Aisha and her children suffered from extreme hardship after he was arrested. Aisha also visited the Hyderabad Press Club on a regular basis, seeking help from the media that -- reacting to the issue - ran her story in the papers. However, as with most things in the country, her tale was forgotten soon enough and Aisha had no choice but to take matters into her own hands. Thus, one fine day she arrived at Resham Bazaar in Hyderabad with a placard stating 'Children for sale'. The next day newspapers and news channels ran the story of this ill-fated woman whose husband is languishing just because he married Aisha out of love, without the permission and consent of her brothers. Despite her situation, one still can't help but wonder how she had the courage to put her children up for sale. However, Aisha has an answer ready for this as well - she said that she wanted to secure her children's future and if someone from a well-off family 'bought' them, then at least her children would not be raised in poverty. "I gave birth to these children so obviously I am not happy to sell them," she said and blamed the society for her plight, pointing out that most people did not pay heed to her situation. Only the Ansar Burney Trust (ABT) came forward to help her. Sarim Burney of the ABT arrived at the Hyderabad Press Club, taking Aisha and her children to Karachi. Also, the Trust managed to arrange a meeting for Aisha with Zahid who was released a few days later. Even though Aisha has managed to get her husband release, she is still uncertain about her future because she feels that she and her family will continue to be harassed. The ABT has arranged for accommodation for the family for a year. However, Aisha pointed out that there are still countless people in the jails of the country because due attention is not being given to their plight. More needs to be done in this regard, she said. Press Back on your browser to Return
|
