Uncompleted Education

Greetings to you, dear listeners. Welcome to our first programme in the series of programmes on liberation. In this series, you will hear about the problems and issues faced by our women and girls and what happens in their daily lives.

Dear friends, the difficulties and hardships that women and girls in our country endure have prompted us to prepare this series of programmes as radio dramas to present to you. We hope that this series will also attract your attention like other programmes of Radio Voice of Life.

Dear listeners, as you know, the problems and issues faced by the women of our homeland are not just one or two that we can point out. The historical backwardness of customs and cultural traditions has long confined the women of our country.

So let’s not hide the truth now. Hiding the truth only leads to more misery. We believe that hatred and resentment create suffering and trouble, but love for others provides a way to freedom from these problems.

With the hope of a day when our women can be active in all aspects of life like women in other parts of the world, we invite you to listen to our first programme in this series of radio dramas on liberation.

No! I don’t know what time I will arrive. We have booked our tickets for the morning flight. It seems they have entered the city. There’s a lot of chaos, don’t ask. In this situation, only God knows what’s going on. Let’s see what else happens. Goodbye.

My daughter, when did you say you would call? When is the flight? The flight details have changed. They all seem very serious. They were asking me when you would come back.

What did you tell them? What should I have said, Dad? I said I would come back in a few days. I’m not staying here. I’m going to finish my studies. I wish you had listened to me. You wouldn’t have taken leave.

What should I have done, Dad? I was under pressure. I came back after two years just to say this. If I had known, I would never have taken leave. I wouldn’t have put myself in this mess. I told you on the phone that the situation is not good. Don’t go.

You said you didn’t listen. You were stubborn. Nothing can be done. Eventually, you will find a way to continue your studies properly. My daughter, don’t worry too much.

We love you. My daughter, don’t worry too much. We love you. As long as we and your mother are alive, we won’t let you stop your education.

Mother Nafisa, what happened? What did you say about the bread? It’s ready. I’m bringing it. Nafisa, my dear, come here, my daughter. Help me a little. Take the glasses of water. Mother dear, we have already brought the glasses of water.

Dad, I heard the news on television last night. I hope it’s not true. My daughter, don’t worry about anything. You have a passport. You have your ticket. You are studying officially at the university in India.

What are you worrying about? No one will study for me. They didn’t say anything about the students studying abroad. They all said that women should not leave home without a male guardian.

Someone told me that they said women should not leave home without a male guardian. I wish it were different. I wish we could access our rights.

I’m afraid that they will say that women should not come to work because of being women. Don’t say these things. Don’t say that Nafisa will have another day of leave.

Eat your bread, my daughter. It has been a day since we heard something good from your father. Your father is the one who always ruins my mood. Mother dear, don’t blame my father.

Your father speaks the truth. My daughter, I don’t like to hear discouraging words. You should eat your bread. After all, they are human. They will distinguish between good and bad.

I hope that it will be as you say. Eat your bread. Let’s talk about these things at the table. Don’t ruin my mood. Let me be calm for an hour.

My daughter, how many more hours are left? Get ready and go back to your studies. Mother dear, don’t worry too much. I understand that you are worried about these things.

I know you are worried a lot. The only thing that bothers me is this worry you two have. Mother dear, if you don’t worry, I will also be calm.

My daughter, you stay calm. Once you have eaten, go and pack your bag because you have a journey ahead. I am now going to mother dear.

My bag is almost packed. I just need to put the things my father bought into it. Once I find a place for them in the bag, I will be ready for the trip. Don’t ask so many questions, mother.

What should I say to not be left behind? At the airport, they told me that you cannot leave the country without a male guardian, right?

Did they tell you that you are a student? You came for a vacation. Couldn’t your father do anything? How much could he do? How much could he do, mother?

Qayoum, since you went with Nafisa, what did you say to them? Did you tell them that my daughter came for a vacation and will leave later? Gulalai, no one listens to these words.

No matter how much I pleaded with those in charge of the airport, no one listened to me. Why?

You kept repeating what you said. What did you say? They grabbed me by the throat. They said if you have no shame, how can a girl from another country travel alone?

What did they say? I was left speechless. I couldn’t say anything. A few other girls were also on vacation. They were sitting in a corner of the airport.

Some of them were crying profusely. One of them, after screaming and shouting, fainted in the corner of the airport. I went to those responsible for the airport several times, separately.

I asked them, but no one listened to me. Oh God, how many times do I have to repeat this, Qayoum? Isn’t there another way for us to get Nafisa back?

You have a passport, get a ticket, take Nafisa and go. I was also in this situation, I wish it could be done. Why couldn’t it?

Don’t worry about us, just tell me what happened. Mother, I handed in my passport. If I had my passport, I could have gone.

If I had said what would you do, mother? The passport is for all the girls who are travelling. I took it from them. Now, they are enforcing their own laws.

Qayoum, do something to get our daughter back. Please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please.

Qayoum, do something to get our daughter back. What should I do, Gulalai? If they hadn’t taken her passport, maybe there would have been a solution.

We should get her passport back. Gulalai, I think you have lost your mind. I wish it were that easy.

First, they don’t give passports to women and girls. Even if they do, it requires a lot of money in bribes, which I don’t have. Until then, we are stuck.

Mother dear, there is no other way. I will give my small passport to my relatives. Keep these words to yourself. They will ruin all our hopes as women.

Because of this, the world is turning into a black celebration. Child, what are these words you are saying? Mother dear, all your hopes and dreams are taken away from you.

What does life truly mean? These words are of no use, my daughter. Maybe I can find a way to get the passport back.

I know someone who can help. You will be in trouble the next time someone tells you to stop. Who do you know? One of the former officials at the airport.

It’s of no use. The former airport officials didn’t help me. Father, if you know any of those who took my passport, maybe you can do something.

They didn’t take it for any reason. Maybe there’s a way. Which way? I have never cared for anything in my life.

But I have to do it for Nafisa’s passport. You are going tomorrow. Let’s see what I can do. You came, Qayoum. Why are you angry?

Since you returned, you have come back. What have you been doing all day? You don’t answer your phone so we can understand where you are.

What are you doing? I said I would go if I could get Nafisa’s passport back. So what happened? Did you get Nafisa’s passport back?

I was very anxious. Finally, I found an old friend who knows someone in charge at the airport.

I begged him to do something to get Nafisa’s passport back. I kept asking him to speak to them. At first, he was reluctant to speak until I promised to help.

What happened then? Did he go to speak? He should go and finish his studies. Does he have five thousand dollars?

I said five thousand dollars for what? He said five thousand dollars to get your daughter’s passport back. Now what do we do, Qayoum? Oh God, what kind of day is this?

Oh God, why am I alive to see this day? Don’t cry, Gulalai. Where is Nafisa? She is at home, lying down.

What do you want to calculate? Let’s go. Let’s go to that house. Don’t say anything to her about this. I say it’s better not to say anything at all.

Don’t provide false comfort. These things are of no use. I’m afraid her heart will break from this life. Qayoum, come here.

I’ll bring tea. Have you eaten bread? No, I planned to have a meal somewhere else but forgot to eat. Hello, Dad. Have you come?

Walaikum, my daughter. What happened, Dad? Did they give my passport back? My daughter, to be honest, they want five thousand dollars to return the passport.

If you don’t have money, then even if you do, I’m not willing for you to pay this money for my passport. What are you thinking? What will happen to your future, my mother?

Dad, if you remember, I was saying let’s get out of here. You said you didn’t listen to me. You said you didn’t listen to me.

I thought I would become a girl. Now it seems I will take these hopes to the grave. Dad, don’t go anywhere else.

Don’t bend your back. I understand that they aren’t going to give my passport back. My daughter, don’t bend. Everything will be alright if you want it to be.

Mother dear, don’t tell me to bend. You bend your own back in that office. Will the city not survive until morning? You bend over and see how it will be.

Are you saying that everything will be alright? What should I say? Mother dear, you know that nothing will be alright.

My daughter, your mother is worried that you are bending. What kind of a father can’t work for his daughter?

Don’t let me and your mother worry. What are you saying? They asked you for five thousand dollars. Where will you get this money from?

There is only one way left. We must sell the house. What should I say, Qayoum? You decide for yourself. What a thought, Dad.

If we sell the house, where will we live? What should we do with the house, my daughter? Until you finish your studies, we can rent a room somewhere.

Our wish and your father’s wish is that you finish your studies. Hold your head high and come back safely. After that, perhaps we can sell the house.

No, mother, don’t wander around for my sake. But my daughter, you must go back. Finish your studies. Your future is very important to me.

My dear daughter, we and your father are only here for you. How can we let you suffer in this country every day? No matter what happens, you must go and finish your education.

Suffer every day in this country? No matter what happens, you must go and finish your studies. What good is this house to us?

Your father and I are just shadows. We have suffered through a lot, but it is important that your life does not get ruined, my daughter.

What do you say, mother? This isn’t about asking for help. Don’t look back at me. Don’t look back at me. You must stay focused on being alive.

What do you remember? Yes, Bothia dear, is that you? Hello, I haven’t seen you in a long time. I just wanted to know if you are okay.

If not, our situation is worse. Life here is full of hardships. You don’t understand what I’m saying. Please let me know how you are.

Dear listeners, this was your programme from the series of liberation programmes. We know you are saddened by what has happened to Nafisa’s family.

Of course, Nafisa is not the only girl whose education has been disrupted; thousands and millions of young and capable girls like Nafisa live in our country, who are now deprived of education.

All of these girls endure the same suffering that Nafisa has faced. Unfortunately, these factors lead to girls like Nafisa, who have sensitive spirits, being forced into despair.

Indeed, despair offers no cure for pain; it only leads one’s life to ruin.

Dear friends, let’s think about the realities present and the consequences of such social actions. When a sensitive young girl like Nafisa loses the meaning of her life,

Despair or suicide is not the solution in a situation where our homeland's people are struggling. Every human has the freedom to give meaning to their own life and pursue their desired goals.

Let’s not be overcome by evil, but rather overcome evil with good, as the word of God says.

Well, dear listeners, until the next programme, we commend you to God, who is ultimately kind and full of grace and mercy.

Music of love binds us to the blessed One; the music is in love for you. In your name, we create; you are with us day and night, and you are the light within us.

The blessed One binds us with the chains of love; you said, “You are with me.” I am bound to you; I am in your grace.

In your name, O Jesus, I pray, the blessed One binds us with the chains of love; the blessed One binds us with the chains of love.