The Diplomat | Author

Somaiyah Hafeez
Somaiyah Hafeez is a feature story writer from Balochistan, Pakistan. She writes on mental health, science, women’s rights, politics, and culture.
Her work has been published in The Diplomat, The Guardian, Dawn newspaper, and The News on Sunday.
She can be reached via email or on Twitter @sommulbaloch.

March 22, 2023
Pakistan’s Aurat March 2023: Another Year, Similar Challenges
By Somaiyah Hafeez
The march for women’s rights continues to face harassment from the authorities and the public, alongside internal political divisions.

February 20, 2023
‘No Safe Space in Pakistan for Women’: Rape Case Roils Islamabad
By Somaiyah Hafeez
Another year, another horrifying rape case – and still no action to protect Pakistani women.

January 12, 2023
Gwadar’s Trials and Tribulations
By Somaiyah Hafeez
The “crown jewel” of CPEC saw protests turn violent, followed by a security crackdown and internet shutdown.

August 03, 2022
Pakistan’s Deadly Floods Are an Annual Occurrence
By Somaiyah Hafeez
Why does Karachi flood almost every year during the monsoon season?

June 29, 2022
As Baloch Women Raise Their Voices, the State Cracks Down
By Somaiyah Hafeez
The rise in Baloch women’s activism – and terrorism – has accompanied a new willingness by authorities to target women with state-sanctioned violence.

April 22, 2022
How Imran Khan Betrayed Pakistan’s Missing Persons
By Somaiyah Hafeez
The former prime minister had been outspoken about addressing the issue of enforced disappearances. But even before his ouster, Baloch had long since given up hope that he would take action.

April 01, 2022
Meet the Khwaja Sira: Pakistan’s Transgender Community
By Somaiyah Hafeez
Pakistan’s transgender community has notched several historic successes in recent years, but discrimination remains rampant.

December 01, 2021
Balochistan’s Students Protest Enforced Disappearances
By Somaiyah Hafeez
For over three weeks, Baloch students in Quetta have been demonstrating against the suspected abduction of two of their own.

August 07, 2021
Pakistan’s Problem With Violence Against Women Is Growing Impossible to Ignore
By Somaiyah Hafeez
Pakistan witnessed several cases of gender-based violence within the month of July, shedding light on the deplorable state of women’s rights in the country.

July 08, 2021
The Battle Over Bahria Town Karachi
By Somaiyah Hafeez and Zafar Musyani
The construction of the exclusive suburb has sparked fierce resistance from local residents, who refuse to give up their land.
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