By Zahid Karani
KARACHI: The Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court, Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput, issued a stark warning on Monday about what he described as a deepening moral and cultural disarray within society, remarking that over recent decades, noise and distraction had steadily replaced awareness and reflection.
Speaking at a seminar held in connection with National Working Women’s Day, Justice Rajput urged the nation to confront the erosion of values and to reconsider the role of women as central to social and cultural integrity. Justice Rajput highlighted that virtue and merit are ultimately measured by character, but he cautioned that societal fragmentation and indifference had overshadowed the pursuit of self-improvement.
In his address, he rejected notions of male superiority, describing women as the “most captivating creation” and stressing that their rights are inseparable from fundamental human rights. Drawing attention to constitutional protections, he cited Article 25, which prohibits gender-based discrimination, and called on society to ensure that women’s rights are prioritized in every sphere of life.
The Chief Justice underlined the importance of women’s participation for sustainable economic and social development, warning that progress achieved without their involvement is often hollow and unsustainable. He pointed out that neglecting the potential of half the population inevitably fosters backwardness and underdevelopment, and he noted that the earliest forms of exploitation frequently occur within the home itself.
Justice Rajput called for a comprehensive transformation of collective attitudes toward women, beginning at the familial level, to strengthen their social standing and secure genuine equality. He urged communities, policymakers, and individuals alike to embrace a culture of respect and inclusion, framing the empowerment of women not only as a constitutional obligation but as a prerequisite for national progress and moral rejuvenation.
