Express Tribune Editorials 5th January 2026

Hindutva diplomacy

India's once-strong relationship with Bangladesh is teetering after a series of missteps by New Delhi

India's once-strong relationship with Bangladesh is teetering after a series of missteps by New Delhi, driven largely by inherent bigotry and the influence of Hindutva ideology over policymaking. The recent decision to exclude Bangladeshi cricketer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League is the latest such flashpoint, and yet another attempt to politicise cricket following a familiar playbook used against Pakistan. Despite India's key role in Bangladesh's separation from Pakistan, decades of goodwill developed based on that assistance have now been swept away as New Delhi repeatedly abused its strategic advantages in the relationship with Dhaka.

The latest sorry chapter is also a reflection of this, as second-tier Indian leadership — and a few top leaders — have regularly used misinformation and exaggeration to highlight the "difficulties" facing Hindus in Bangladesh, even though reputable international rights bodies have all concluded that while there have been sporadic acts of violence targeting Hindus, an overwhelming majority of violent incidents are politically motivated and have nothing to do with the victims' religion. The victims were mostly affiliated directly or indirectly with former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, whose criminal reign of terror led to her ouster and violence against her supporters, irrespective of religion. That may be little consolation for the victims' families, but it is proof that Indian leaders — many of whom regularly call for abusing their own Muslim and Christian citizens — are bad-faith actors.

Unfortunately for India, Bangladesh has also been forging closer ties with China — the only country in the region that is bigger, richer and better armed than India. If New Delhi continues to craft policies based on the rants of Hindu ideologues instead of seasoned diplomats, it can expect Bangladesh to also move firmly into the China camp, leaving India surrounded by potentially hostile nations that all have weapons that proved to be superior to anything India possesses during the disastrous Operation Sindoor campaign.

Recognising child marriage

Legal inconsistencies are wrought in the country's legal framework, as minimum legal age for marriage is not uniform

A sessions court in Karachi last week found an adult, who had married a minor, guilty under the Sindh Child Marriage Restraint Act 2013, sentencing him to two years in prison alongside a Rs25,000 fine. The court, however, declared that convictions under the Act do not nullify the validity of a nikkah involving a minor. In Sindh, the minimum legal age for marriage for both males and females is 18. This means that while an adult can be prosecuted for marrying a minor, the marriage itself remains valid.

This legal inconsistency has previously been questioned by the Islamabad High Court, which found it nonsensical to recognise a child marriage as a valid contract. It argued that since the marriage with an underage child constitutes an illegal criminal offence — statutory rape under the Pakistan Penal Code — the contract should be void. Consequently, the Islamabad Capital Territory Child Marriage Restraint Bill 2025 prohibits cohabitation resulting from a child marriage.

While a criminal court only extends its jurisdiction to criminal offences, and the right to recognise or nullify a marriage rests with family courts, this ruling fails to recognise legal inconsistencies between criminalisation and continued legal recognition. Criminal punishment then risks becoming symbolic, avoiding a conclusive legal position on whether the state supports marriage under 18. Nor does the ruling meaningfully guide family courts on assessing a nikah's validity following a conviction.

Legal inconsistencies are wrought in the country's legal framework, as the minimum legal age for marriage is not uniform across different provinces. Balochistan and K-P recognise 18 as the minimum age for males and 16 for females, while the rest of the country recognises 18 for both sexes. Legal rulings surrounding child marriage are desperately in need of clarity that ultimately protects the well-being of children and reduces harm to minors.

Work from jail

Proposal by the Inspector General of Jails in Sindh to introduce a 'work from jail' model

The proposal by the Inspector General of Jails in Sindh to introduce a 'work from jail' model, which would train inmates and engage them in productive labour while they serve their sentences, is a welcome shift in correctional policy and prison reforms. The idea positions jails as spaces for rehabilitation rather than solely punishment as the latter approach makes it difficult for prisoners to reintegrate into society after they serve their sentences.

Under this scheme, prisoners would receive market-relevant training, access modern machinery and tools and undertake real industrial projects by collaborating with private sector partners. The stated aim is to reduce recidivism and prepare inmates for a future where they can be skilled, employable citizens. This approach also aligns with a broader recognition that punitive confinement on its own fails to break the cycle of crime. Sindh has already taken other corrective steps in recent times, including vocational and technical training for juvenile inmates. Such programmes acknowledge that equipping offenders with education and skills is central to reducing re-offences and helping them lead productive lives post-release.

However, the gap between policy intention and practical implementation remains a serious concern. Currently, Central Jail Karachi houses more than double the number of inmates that the facility has space for, and the living conditions of inmates are close to dire. Announcements of progressive reforms can only be applauded once they are matched by genuine, sustained commitment on the ground. Too often, ideas fail because of lack of funding, weak oversight or poor coordination between government departments and private partners.

Unless the government backs this 'work from jail' initiative with focused implementation and adequate budgets that are monitored with transparency, the idea risks turning into another well-intended slogan. Sindh must treat rehabilitation as a priority, not an afterthought, and back it with long-term vision.