The brutal murder of Farida Afridi brings into focus the dangers that come with being a woman in this country – let alone a women’s activist.

Salmaan Taseer was tragically gunned down a year from today for speaking up against the country’s controversial Blasphemy Law. Newsline has compiled interviews with and articles on the former governor of Punjab as well as the Blasphemy Law debate.

Twenty-six innocent pilgrims of Hazara origin were murdered in cold blood when their Iran-bound bus was waylaid by unknown assailants near Mastung, Balochistan.

In a confusing frenzy in which Qadri was labelled ‘Ashiq-e-Rasool‘ and Taseer’s murder was justified on the grounds of his ‘un-Islamic’ character and lifestyle, it is impossible not to be shocked by the attitude custodians of our justice system have adopted.

Where does the government, more specifically the Punjab government, figure in all of the craziness and continued growing extremism: the head money on the judge who passed the death penalty against Mumtaz Qadri, the Sunni Tehreek’s offer of diyat to the Taseer family and the growth of the LeJ?

Equal justice in similar and straightforward murder cases is hard to come by when an extremist mindset obscures the evidence.

The verdict is out on Sarfaraz Shah’s brutal murder, but punishing seven men will not solve a major societal problem.

China says there is a Pakistan connection to the recent blasts in Kashgar, allegedly involving Uighur Muslims. Have Pak-China relations hit stormy waters?

Is the criticism of the army largely justified or misplaced? Is the military adequately focusing on the most dangerous threats to the nation?

Journalists across the country have been outspoken about the worsening state of press freedom in Pakistan. Reporters admit to massive self-censorship. Will the commission set up to probe the murder of Saleem Shahzad bring any positive changes?