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Old Friday, March 15, 2013
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Whither my Pakistan?
By: Mishail Imran | March 11, 2013 . 14

Pakistan, ‘the land of the pure’, is no longer a consecrated piece of land but a desecrated one. With every passing day, the country is drifting into chaos and violence. The frequency of target killings has accelerated. The recent tragedies in Quetta and Karachi are a dreary manifestation of our monstrous behaviour. The world now looks at us with anxiety and concern. We are now seen as the most dangerous nation on earth. The scenario is indeed scary and tragic. My generation is worried and feeling insecure.

I have always been an optimistic person, but now I am beginning to be sceptical, and losing confidence in my country’s future. What led me to this utmost pessimistic outlook is not my deteriorating love for my homeland but my shattered faith in its people. I have lost faith because of those who have turned our country into a killing ground and a battlefield, instead of fostering harmony amongst its people. We are killing ourselves. We have become a suicidal nation.

Islam is a religion of peace and demands that we maintain civil and harmonious relations, not just with our fellow Muslim brethren but also with every human being and every living creation. But the misinterpretation of this faith has resulted in fellow Muslims raising swords against each other. There may be differences of opinion or difference in rituals between sects. However, no one, absolutely no one, has the right to judge whether someone is a ‘proper’ Muslim or not. The power to judge solely rests with Allah alone. Only He has the authority to judge Muslims and peoples of other faiths.

Hence, on the basis of this reality, what we need is to read and comprehend the Quran in a logical, coherent manner, trying to understand its true essence, instead of blindly following the dictates of ‘Mullahs.’ In this way alone, shall we be able to identify the flaws within us and focus on improving our own character rather than blatantly blaming others for being ‘less Muslim’ than us. Pakistan was not created for a single ethnic community. It was created for the welfare and freedom of every individual who wished to reside in it. It was meant to be home to every Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Parsi and Muslim. This was the Pakistan that Quaid-e-Azam envisioned and struggled to create with the hope of ending racial, ethnic and communal differences once and forever.

According to the Quaid, the foremost duty of a government was "to maintain law and order and to protect the life, property and religious beliefs of its subjects.” Our rulers have failed in their duty. There is no law and order in the country. Violence is endemic. Crime and corruption are rampant. Poor governance is at the root of all our problems. Unfortunately, there is no light at the end of the dark tunnel. We see no tidings of a bright future. Ours is no longer the country that Quaid-e-Azam had once aspired it to be: “one of the greatest nations of the world.”

The Quaid believed in religious freedom and communal harmony. He urged the nation to shun sectarianism. But we seem to be doing just the opposite. We opted for intolerance and fanaticism that has led us to violence with no parallel anywhere in the world. Pakistan has become the hotbed of religious extremism and obscurantism. Sectarian violence has ripped our society apart. Communal clashes have become a frequent routine in our country, most notably targeting the Ahmedi and Shiite communities. Both communities, now being targeted frequently, are looking for refuge in foreign countries. How painful it would have been for the Quaid to see his Pakistan burning from within.

The Ahmedi community has been harassed and most of its members were left with no choice but to leave Pakistan. It is a shame that our leaders could not take a corrective step for fear of the extremist backlash and, sadly, it is their fear that has deprived these communities of their right to a safe and peaceful living in the state, leaving them with no option but to find sanctuary in other countries.

Our people seem to have set aside the Islamic values. They have become money-minded, and are running after money, purely for self-interest. Believing in distorted ideologies, they kill mercilessly on the basis of religious discrimination. There are countless examples of diverse evils in our society, but the one that really unhinges me the most is sectarian killings which are rampant these days. Lately, the Shiite community in Pakistan has been the target of an atrocity of unprecedented proportions. Quetta and Karachi have become battlegrounds where not a single day passes without violence being perpetrated against the Shias.

Lahore too was shrouded in misery when two innocent souls, a father and his teenage son, were assassinated on February 20, 2013, just because they belonged to the Shiite sect. How can anyone benefit by taking the life of a skilled doctor and a young innocent boy who was yet to discover the world? This horrendous incident not only struck me with grief but also destroyed my faith in humanity. It made me realize that we, as individuals, are not even capable of calling ourselves human beings, let alone calling ourselves Muslims. Like the Ahmedis, the Shiite community is also now being targeted repeatedly.
It is time that people of our ‘Islamic Republic of Pakistan’ look into their hearts and souls, if they have any, to assess for themselves how “faithfully” they have been able to live up to the ideals of our great faith and the vision that inspired the creation of Pakistan. We also need to asses for ourselves whether we are actually living up to the reputation of good, noble Muslims or merely wearing a façade of noble beings. It is high time that extremist religious groups also realized that their false perception of Islam and endless manslaughter in the name of Jihad is a complete negation of their religion.
Unfortunately, today, not only have we forgotten the tireless efforts of this great leader but have left no stones unturned in shattering his dreams and his vision of a prosperous, united Pakistan. Now indeed is the time for every Pakistani to wake up and respond to the call of human degradation around him. We are living in ‘desperate times’ which call for ‘desperate measures’. If there is any hope left, then that hope lies within the people who need to understand their moral responsibility as human beings and as upholders of justice and peace. I would like to end with a verse that is highly thought-provoking and apt for those who go about desecrating my homeland in such a merciless manner.

Iss Khaak Ko Hadaayat Day Maula
Uss Khaak May Milnay Say Pehlay

The writer is a university student. Email: mishailimran94@gmail.com

http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-ne...er-my-pakistan
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The Badami Bagh fiasco
By: Azam Khalil | March 15, 2013 . 1

“God bears with the wicked, but not forever.”
– Cervantes

There have been several incidents in the past that have put the entire nation to shame. In the latest one, a mob, supposedly unaware even about the fundamental principles and teachings of Islam, attacked, looted and burned more than 100 shops and houses, including two churches, at Joesph Colony, in Lahore, in the name of religion, while the law enforcers stood as silent spectators.

If the government had taken some effective measures for the protection of minorities and to control the occurrence of such incidents by punishing the perpetrators after the Gojra tragedy, perhaps, the Badami Bagh incident could have been avoided. The judicial commission formed to probe into the incident highlighted at least 10 points for it to work on so that such events were not repeated, but it was a vain attempt.

The tragedy was soon forgotten after the government claimed that the victims or their families had negotiated a settlement with the perpetrators. Hence, there was not much that it could do to punish them. Add to this, there are many examples where eyewitnesses have shied away from the cases, allowing the culprits to go scot-free.

It is important to remember that Islam is a religion of peace, tolerance and love; and it teaches us to respect the sentiments of people belonging to other faiths.

Having said that, both the federal and provincial governments have miserably failed to put in place a mechanism that ensures the safety of minorities and punish those who are guilty of committing crimes against humanity.
In the Badami Bagh case, however, certain disturbing facts have come to light, which indicate that it was something more serious than just a fight between drunk friends; an elected representative, according to reports, wanted to occupy the precious land of Joseph Colony.

As far as the police is concerned, the less said the better. But it was strange that one who has spent more than three decades in the Police Department and was senior police official for the area of the attack, could show such ineptitude and allow the situation to balloon into a tragedy of serious proportions.

According to different police sources contacted by this scribe, it has emerged that the provincial leadership dithered for more than 24 hours to take any tangible action. Indeed, this inaction and wait-and-see policy is criminal negligence. Also, while the SSP and SP have been removed from office, no action has been taken against them.

The questions, however, remain: why was the whole community targeted despite the fact that the alleged blasphemer was immediately arrested by the police? Why did the police allow a mob of 3,000 people to burn houses in Joseph Colony and made no serious efforts to stop them? Who is responsible for forcing the residents to vacate their houses before the attack?
Further, there are reports that some of the cheques given to the people of Joseph Colony by the provincial government have bounced. If that is true, nothing could be a worse. Analyst suggest that the Badami Bagh incident may greatly harm the PML-N’s prospects in the coming elections. However, this does not imply that the rest of the country is moving on comfortably. There have been many incidents of sectarian violence in other cities, most notably in Karachi.

Such incidences call for urgent measures and also demand that politics should not be played at the cost of innocent people. The political leaders must jointly make efforts to create conditions that will discourage occurrences resulting in chaos and lawlessness. However, all indicators that have emerged after the tragedy point to a sense of paralysis that has gripped the political leadership, which has shown no urgency to move on and initiate measures to contain violence in future.

Hopefully, the religious political parties, along with mainstream parties, too will work to find the right solution. Otherwise, such incidents of tactical gravity will continue to destroy Pakistan’s image beyond repair.

The writer has been associated with various newspapers as editor and columnist. At present, he hosts a political programme on Pakistan Television.
Email: zarnatta@hotmail.com

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[SIZE="4" Article by Zahida Hina (Naram Garam)[/SIZE]


Source: http://pakistanredefined.com/article...es-in-pakistan
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Counter Quetta Genocide
By Asha Khan

The Hazara community has been targeted second time in few weeks, the heinous attack killed 90 members of the tribe, as a result tens of thousands of people have been protesting across the country. The tribe has yet again shown its trust in army; the protestors demand to call in army in Quetta. Even the strategy to implement Governor’s rule remained ineffective and couldn’t stop a big terrorist activity to take place. Since 2002, more than 50,000 Pakistanis have been killed in the genocide. The terrorists are targeting Pakistanis since many years and by killing Hazara community people, the propaganda is definitely to divide the Pakistani society.

Most of the political parties prevented military to operate freely in Quetta but it is unfortunate fact that the government remained failed in combating terrorism. In Pakistan the debate of counterterrorism always remained focused to operations in tribal region and TTP. The attention should have been paid to other militant groups, as lately Lashkar e Jhangvi claimed responsibility for the attack and remained active against Shias.

The Hazara community should be appreciated for behaving prudently in understanding the lethal action and propaganda of hostile elements. They have called army but the government should be forced to take such steps because it is government’s responsibility to find the most appropriate and timely solution for the issue. Politicians should not turn opportunist to exploit this critical moment for their own political motives. The best counterterrorism strategy would be a balanced blend of intelligence, law enforcement and military.

The Supreme Court took suo moto notice but mere notice is not going to be enough; terrorists should be hanged. Pakistanis should raise voice to detain terrorists but sectarian mobilization should not be promoted. Terrorists are our common enemy and they are above any sect and religion.

http://www.pkarticleshub.com/2013/03...etta-genocide/
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Minorities in Pakistan
By Yahya Ahmad

Pakistan is a country, where discriminatory laws and violence against the minorities are a major concern, according to Human Rights Watch’s (HRW) 21st Annual World Report. The religious demographic of Pakistan is based on a majority of Muslims, who constitute 95% – 97% of the population. The other 3% – 5% consists of Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists and Parsis. Recently, there has been an alarming increase in the targeting of these minorities, spread throughout the country. As various nefarious elements incite religious sentiments against these communities, the incidents which could have been considered once to be sporadic, have now turned into a humanitarian crisis. These targeting of minorities by extremist elements, has not been a new concept, but throughout the history of Pakistan there have been numerable instances when these elements, with the help of ignorant masses, have unleashed their wrath on these communities.

Islam is a religion of peace and espouses values of tolerance and coexistence, within the community and with other beliefs. The evident example of this is the Holy Prophet (PBUH.) life in Medina. Medinatul Munawwara which was previously known as Yasrab, was an amalgamation of different faiths, which included Jews and Christians. One of the earliest courses of action of the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) was the treaty among the Muslims, non-Muslims and Jews of Medina, to facilitate and encourage peace, unity and coexistence. The accord was in writing and stated, ““Whosoever among the Jews follows us shall have help and equality; they shall not be injured nor shall any enemy be aided against them. The Jews shall maintain their own religion and the Muslims theirs.” Through this accord the rights of each community were protected and guaranteed, resulting in a peaceful coexistence of Muslims with other beliefs.

It is stated in Quran “There is no compulsion in religion, the path of guidance stands out clear from error” [2:256] and [60:8]. In a letter when Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) wrote a letter to the people of Scripture in Yemen, he said, “…and a Jew or a Christian who embraces Islam becomes one of the believers, having their rights and duties; and the one who remains Jewish or Christian should not be forced to disband his religion..” Ibn Kathir: Al-Sirah Al-Nabawiyah, 5/146. He forbid clearly from committing any wrong doings against people belonging to other beliefs. He said, “Beware, if anyone wrongs a contracting man (a non-Muslim protected by the state or an agreement), or diminishes his right, or forces him to work beyond his capacity, or takes from him anything without his consent, I shall plead for him on the Day of Judgment.” narrated by Abu-Dawud, chapter of Al-Kharaj (tribute) (3052). The above clearly shows how much rights and privileges Islam has given to the people, belonging to other beliefs. The most significant right in this regard is the freedom of belief, stated in Quran and Hadith.

Today in the prevailing social scenario of Pakistan, these values and teachings have been forgotten and replaced with hatred. Although Muhammad Ali Jinnah put it bluntly that, “You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place or worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the State.” This message has been lost through time and the continuous conspiring of nefarious elements with vested interests, seems to have prevailed. After 64 years of independence, it is distressing to see that Jinnah’s vision of Pakistan where all ethnic and religious groups coexist peacefully, striving to develop Pakistan, has been shattered. Instead, we find a country where there is intolerance among people of the same faith.

The massive influx of extremist influence into the society can be traced back to the 1980s, where the regime of General Zia ul Haq openly promoted religion as a political tool. It is evident that these elements were pouncing on opportunities to attain limelight, since the early 1950s. The communal riots in the 1950s and 1970s are evidence, to the presence of these elements, under the surface of the social fabric. The ignorance of people regarding, true Islamic teachings, has been exploited by these elements for their own political and personal interests. The situation has become extremely tense, after the start of the war on terror. Over the years, these extremist sections have become strong and are increasing their demands day by day. The section of society that has been in their crosshairs is the religious minority communities.

An initiative by every citizen of Pakistan is required, to stop the alienation of the religious minorities, taking place. The government will have to address the situation at a policy level and take steps to ensure the rights of these communities. Hate speech and exploitation of masses under the garb of religion, will also have to be stopped. A combined effort is required by everyone to bring these communities back into the mainstream Pakistani identity. Their apprehensions should be addressed and they should be treated as an equal citizen. This will not only represent Islam’s message of coexistence and peace but will also form an exemplary social structure, for the whole world and fulfill the Quaid’s dream of a prosperous and peaceful Pakistani state.

http://www.pkarticleshub.com/2011/05...s-in-pakistan/
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The communal inferno
By: Samson Simon Sharaf | March 16, 2013 .

It happened umpteenth times in the past five years in Punjab. The forces of communal hate, intolerance, greed, qabza and extortion in the name of religious honour were unleashed on a Christian community of Badami Bagh in Lahore. The script of Shanti Nagar, Gojra, Kurrian, Kasur and Sangla Hill was superimposed with a familiar narrative. The initial brawl between two drunkards, police investigation, rising tensions, helplessness of police/local administration and finally the communal inferno are charades all too familiar. Bad luck for the poor Christians, the fury this time far outweighed the intensity, complicity and destruction in the past. A Holy Cross strung with shoes was thrown in the inferno with a bold banner advocating beheadings over blasphemy prominently displayed across the street. The target chosen was in the heart of the provincial metropolis. Chickens had come home to roost.

As observed by the Chief Justice of Pakistan, this gory incident was avoidable; but deplorably not contained by any desire, urgency or affirmative action of the local administration. There was no curfew imposed, no activation of Section 144, and as the fury reached its peak, no warning shots or teargas fired. The tragedy built up over a course of three days. No lessons from the incidents in the past were taken into account. Confronted with hapless and poor people, the inferno operation was methodical and executed in phases. First, the arrest followed by FIR; secondly, evacuation of the families under a shadow of threat; thirdly, looting of the houses and finally the use of incendiaries and burning at large. Though conspicuously ineffective before the inferno at Saint Joseph’s Colony, the civilian munitions of maintaining law and order were in full display at Youhannabad, where local Christians in peaceful protest blocked Ferozepur Road.

The live telecasting of the scene sent shockwaves the world over. The media had predicted such an imminent tragedy and was, therefore, ready when the first flames of fire leaped to the skies. Such is the retardant potential of the Punjab government that it continued to give simplifications over the tragedy through its spokespersons and zombie minority representatives.

Any noticeable leader entering Joseph’s Colony was greeted by a group of zombies perched on a rooftop shouting “Nawaz Sharif Zindabad.” During Imran Khan’s visit to the area, there was a deliberate attempt to stop him from visiting the charred streets. The local police deployed in the area made no attempts to clear these rowdy zombies; the lowest levels one can stoop to in politics Gowalmandi-Badami Bagh style.

After I had finished talking on a TV show, an elderly Muslim from the area took me to a side and said that the looting and burning scenes had reminded him of the partition in 1947. The old man had the bull by the horns; a nation bent on self-destruction, a crescendo creating divides amongst divides. The flames of communalism, sectarianism and religiously inspired violence continue to rise even after 65 years of independence. The issue is no more the Hindu-Muslim divide, but rather the identity of a Muslim. Yet, the repeated violence against Christians cannot be explained in the simplification of the violence by militant groups. In these cases, these are the neighbours, who turn on their neighbours, having lived in the same localities for generations.
As a Pakistani, I have a number of questions that beg answers and explanations.

Barring a few who are successful and wealthy, why has the Pakistani society not been able to assimilate non-Muslims as mainstream citizens? After all, their leaders supported Quaid-i-Azam in Pakistan Movement, got All-India Muslim League the majority in the Punjab Assembly and did outstanding social work. Perhaps, the answer can be found in the political evolution of the state sans Jinnah’s script. The Objective Resolution raised issues of Muslimhood, while the military alliances were built around a paradigm of godless communism and infidel Hindu versus jihad. Successive military dictatorships and democracies formed their scripts around religious legitimacy alienating not only communities within Muslims, but also the non-Muslims. Constitutionalism had been opportunist and divisive.

Pakistan’s political parties have also failed to play their roles in assimilating diversity. Built around hallow religious slogans, preservation of elitist interests and personalities, they view participation of minorities amongst them an affront and resign them to non-descript minority roles and exclusive wings. The fervour of one ethnic political party from Sindh in favour of the victims of Joseph Colony is incomprehensible from the fact that Issa Naghri, in Karachi, is under siege of target killings and extortion for over a year. Unless political parties do not open their ranks to non-Muslims and give them opportunities in mainstream politics, the syndrome of ghettos cannot be challenged.
Pakistan’s civil society has also failed to play its role in integrating communities. Had such civic organisations been effective, neighbourhoods would have never become a potential threat to minority enclaves close to it. They have always tried to keep such colonies at a distance. Cognisant that their presence is not welcome, minorities too have chosen to stay away and live in their own slums and ghettos in relative safety, but for the unplanned creeping urbanisation. Pakistan’s educated elite, though a product of missionary institutions, failed to pay back in absorbing these communities. This has led to a social inbreeding, both in the haves and have-nots.
Pakistan’s education system also promotes divisions and divides. Abundance of hate literature in the curriculum, blasphemous comments against other religions and failure to recognise the contribution of others to Pakistan inculcate an exclusive notion amongst Muslim children. The concept of us and them ingrained in the formative years take its toll on diversity as strength when it matters most.

There was a tempest howling within me, as I drove to Islamabad. As the nature in fury of fierce rain and hailstones hit the windscreen, I noticed a rainbow in the distant sky across the Kallar Kahar Range. It reminded me of the faith and hope in Noah after the great flood. Amidst the sadness, a ray of hope began to grow. I began to see a playback of positive images dancing before my eyes. Those young educated Muslim girls hugging kids, distributing copies and pencils and consoling the broken ladies. I could see Ulema one after another condemning the incident as un-Islamic. I began to feel proud of the media for its unbiased narration of events and the many calls and tweets of Muslim friends, who condemned the tragedy and offered help. I could see Imran Khan standing amidst the ruins with pain and anger writ on his face, telling the people and media that we shall make a new Pakistan.

As I cleared the meandering range, the rainbow in the distant kept reminding me that thesis would soon overtake the anti-thesis. Passing through a river of fire, the forces of love, moderation and Jinnahists would finally prevail over all exploitative agendas. Gold only glitters after passing through fire and a diamond only takes shape after grinding, scrubbing and rubbing.

The writer is a retired army officer, current affairs host
on television and political economist.
Email and Twitter: samson.sharaf@gmail.com

http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-ne...mmunal-inferno
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Minority in flames
By: M A Niazi | March 15, 2013 . 8

While the Badami Bagh tragedy has highlighted the plight of a community more usually ignored, it has also shown the devotion of the ordinary Muslim to the Holy Prophet (pbuh). While there have been allegations of the involvement of real estate interests, it is worth noting that no party stands accused. Even the mafia is supposed to have used the sentiment of ordinary Muslims for the Holy Prophet (pbuh) to allow the arson.

Once again, the titanic sentiments provoked by allegations of blasphemy were on display. It was also worth noting that the normal groups named as culprits, including sectarian parties, were not accused by anyone. In Islam, blasphemy is not an extremist crime. At the same time, it had to be acknowledged that the reaction, even though the alleged blasphemer had been arrested for the crime, showed that the state machinery was not trusted by the populace.
There are elements of imperialism, or rather neo-imperialism in the episode, for though the community whose colony was burnt belonged to an oppressed section of society, they are co-religionists of the US majority, who are Christians. It should not be forgotten that the conversion of the sweepers, who had Dalit status in their original Hindu religion, converted to Christianity in the Raj.

It should be noted that the British did not encourage conversions, and the Dalits who became Christian found themselves labelled ‘native Christians’ and left to take a lowly place on the new caste ladder that the British took over from the Mughals who preceded them, and who themselves had taken over a social system already well entrenched when they arrived.

It is interesting that two religions that created communities of believers, who were all converts in origin, had to accommodate the Hindu caste system in the subcontinent. It may well be an oversimplification, but successive empires, had rulers following Islam and Christianity, but neither succeeded in breaking down caste bonds, which continue to this day.

That caste was a problem was recognised by the founders of Sikhism, even though they too fell victim to its scourge. Hinduism itself recognised that it was a problem. There was the Arya Samaj Movement in the Punjab and the Brahmo Samaj Movement in Bengal, both of which were 19th century reform movements centred about ending the bonds of caste.

For some Dalits, Christianity was not the solution, so they converted to Buddhism. Dr Ambedkar, the Dalit leader at the time of partition, who played a major role in the framing of its constitution, was one.

Though this was not the aim of the Raj, occupational mobility was provided to the new converts, mainly through the newly set up church institutions, in education and health, and then in the clergy. But the majority continued in the profession that Sanwal Masih, the accused in the Badami Bagh case, practiced: sanitary worker.

Because of this, blasphemy charges have been directed against Christians not because they have committed blasphemy, but because there is resentment against social progress or individual prosperity by individual Christians.
An important part of minorities living in Pakistan was the treatment minorities had always received under Islam, which was favourable. There were two things not taken into account.

First, there had to be an Islamic state, which was ruled by Islam in its entirety. If allowed to take bits and pieces as it wishes what is to stop it rejecting the lesson of tolerance? That is the defect of the Indian solution, which is to propagate secularism.

That secularism depends on the majority in the legislature. What if, as happened in India in 1996, Hindu extremists are elected to power? While Hindus may shrug their shoulders, while abandoning their so-called secularism, a Muslim cannot abandon non-Muslims because there are specific commands on their treatment.

The second element is that there is supposed to have been an accord concluded, in which a Muslim conqueror grants the non-Muslims a zimma (accord) that is why non-Muslims are known as zimmis or ahluzzima (the people of the zimma). The Christians of Pakistan would be governed by the terms of whatever zimma was granted at the time of the entry of the Muslims into the subcontinent.

That zimma cannot include the right to blaspheme. Nor can it include any Muslim right to allow arson. It cannot include anything in contradiction of the Quran and Sunnah. There is a general consensus, including among Christians, that both the alleged blasphemer and the arsonists must be tried and punished. Blasphemy of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) is not allowed. However, the prevention is to be achieved by a state, not individuals.

It cannot be ignored that the incident occurred at the time that elections are upon the nation. While the incident itself throws the spotlight upon the Punjab government, it is noticeable that it makes the PML-N government in Punjab look as bad as all three other governments, which have had a senior Minister killed (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), and blasts killing Hazara Shias (Balochistan) and other Shias (Sindh).

With the whole country apparently in the grip of lawlessness, it is, perhaps, not the best of times for the federal government to engage with the Election Commission of Pakistan over the nomination forms, as well as the opposition over the name of the caretaker Prime Minister. It is, perhaps, positive that this incident is not being seen as an effort to delay the elections. It is almost as if the long march by Dr Tahirul Qadri was a last-ditch effort. However, the Badami Bagh incident throws a garish light on the killings of Shias in Quetta and Karachi: have we become a society intolerant of difference.

One symptom is the lumping of Shias with other minorities, even though they are Muslims. Then there are the massacres. True the latest incident, according to the Supreme Court’s suo motu hearing, appears to be about land grabbing, even though the real estate market has bottomed out, but there is a strong element of intolerance. But it must not be forgotten that the tolerance Muslims showed was from a position of superiority, based on the fear of the Almighty, not of foreign-funded NGOs.

Though the incident occurred at the tail-end of the tenure of the elected government, when attention was more on elections than the actual functions of government, and though the initial handling will be by an elected government about to go to the polls, and the follow-up by the caretaker government, the only real solution will be if the culprits are brought to justice.
The government has got 54 ready for trial, and the court will be asked to carry out a day-to-day hearing, so that this crime can be put behind everyone as fast as possible. Unlike in some cases, it is not possible to see any party benefiting from legal delays, except perhaps the guilty.

However, even with the guilty getting the punishment prescribed for them by law, the problems faced by the community, of discrimination, will remain. And they will stay so long as Hindu values prevail among peoples whose ancestors long converted to Islam or Christianity.

The writer is a veteran journalist and founding member as well as executive editor of TheNation.
Email: maniazi@nation.com.pk

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A poisonous mindset
March 10, 2013 . 2

It is the death knell for law and order in a nation when the tendency to take the law into one’s own hands has been gaining strength over time. No doubt, the wave of fanatical-extremist thinking gripping the land at the moment is operating without penalty and without any fear of being apprehended by the police. And if the issue in hand is an alleged case of blasphemy, even the police intervention or persuasion to control the enraged mob proves of little use. That is what happened on Saturday morning when a sizeable crowd gathered around a Christian colony in Lahore’s Badami Bagh on reports circulated against Sawan Masih, a 26-year old resident of that colony. For fear of disturbance of peace, the police took the accused into custody as news about the reported incident began circulating in the area. But nearly twelve hours later, in a coldly premeditated move, steeped in religious hatred and enmity, a violent mob descended on the Badami Bagh area. In no time, they had set the neighbourhood alight. Eventually, nearly a hundred houses stood destroyed and motorcycles, rickshaws and cycles in the alleys were thrown onto a bonfire. The crowd left the scene after the damage was done, on the appeal of the khateeb from Badshahi Mosque who arrived at the scene to lead the appeal for calm.

It must be acknowledged that our collective mindset as a nation is in smithereens. Such demonstrations are sad and ugly proof of reason lost to the wind. No rage, no injustice, no offence is displayed by society for members of minorities in Pakistan who bear the brunt of our collective tolerance of such bigoted, uneducated, reactionary elements who live within us. This is by no means the first time. The horrific events in Gojra come to mind. We have learnt nothing and continue to set fire to our own land, slaughter our own citizens, pillage our own neighbourhoods and set fire to our own streets.

Islam is a religion of tolerance and peace, examples of which are found during the reign of the Prophet (pbuh) himself. Quaid-i-Azam unequivocally stated more than once that the minorities enjoy the same rights in Pakistan as the Muslim. In the modern age, this alone is the acceptable approach. The world is already justifiably pointing fingers at such incidents as examples of barbaric behaviour, which are coming to epitomize Pakistan, not just in the foreign press, but even to ourselves when we glance in the mirror. Targeting hundreds with cold premeditation, burning down an entire neighbourhood, acting on an unproven charge is no evidence of religious ‘devotion’. It is downright criminal and must not be tolerated. Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif did well to ask, “What good has been done to Islam by the burning of a 100 houses?” Every person involved in burning down the Badami Bagh colony must be identified and prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Something must be done to prevent another Gojra, another Badami Bagh. How many more times can Quaid-i-Azam’s Pakistan survive such barbarism?

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Badami Bagh incident
March 11, 2013 .

There is genuine outrage within and on behalf of the Christian community in the aftermath of the Badami Bagh incident, in which a largely Christian neighbourhood was torched by a violent horde. Two days before, a resident was accused of blasphemy by a person with whom he had recently been involved in an altercation. After two days of rumour mongering, the person accused was taken into custody for further investigation. Despite this, a mob of 10,000 odd descended on the area and laid it to ruin, as the 200 riot policemen failed to control the situation. The arson was not only unjustified, but was also totally unnecessary after the person on whom the accusation had been apprehended for investigation. The ulema condemned the attempt to take the law into private hands, and did what they could to calm the situation, Police officials who should have stopped the burning, but who did not were removed.

The case must be dealt with great clarity: by a scrupulous attention to the principle of the rule of law. Not just the writ of the state been violated, but so has the law of the land. The only way to prevent further attempts to take the law into one’s own hands is to punish the perpetrators of this arson. This will only be achieved by ensuring that the law takes its due course.

At a deeper level, the government should remember that minorities have a vote in general constituencies, and that the Badami Bagh incident will be reflected in Christian, indeed, all minority voting patterns countrywide. As the votes most affected will be cast in Lahore, hitherto a PML-N stronghold, the handling of the case will have to be carried out with the utmost sensitivity by the PML-N government, which will have to pay attention not only to a Christian community, some of whose members find their life savings burnt to the ground, but also the country as a whole, despairing of any sense prevailing among any of the 10,000 and others like them, without legal intervention to punish them and make them realise the error of their ways.

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Selective amnesia
By Masood Hasan
I think it was last summer when I wrote a column in this newspaper about how we had created conditions that had forced many Christian families, particularly the Anglo-Indians to seek their luck elsewhere. Many had migrated to the UK, the US, Australia, Canada and other far-flung parts of the world. Since then, most have done reasonably well and come to some sort of acceptance of having de-linked themselves from the motherland.

In the same column I had lamented that their departure over many years had left a gaping hole in our lives because they were not pieces of wood but a vibrant and happy-go-lucky community which brought its distinctive and merry culture in whatever it did and made us aware of the simple joy of living. Their purses may have been small, but their hearts were generous and welcoming.

Most columnists will bear this out – other than the ones who have massive egos and would consider this nothing short of heresy – that our writings churned out every week painstakingly and with nauseating punctuality have cumulatively little or no effect on the many subjects we write about. Talk of changing the world, we cannot even persuade people to change socks. So you can understand my bewilderment when I was inundated by emails from all corners of the world, hardly had the column been published. In a few weeks these had run well past 600 and continued for almost a year. Most were heartbreaking. Either very old people still reminiscing about their lives in various parts of Pakistan, or the very young brought up on stories of another time – yet all homesick after all these years and still in fervent love with the country they had to leave.

Not one email had anything bad to say about Pakistan and almost all were written by people choking with emotions – you could feel the tears in what they wrote from the very core of their beings. I was flummoxed. Dozens of clubs and organisations contacted me and told me that the column had been read to their members and had moved many to the verge of tears. An old lady, well over 80, said nothing could ever take her Lahore from her and virtually every single email said the same thing – pure and spontaneous love for the city they had left behind. “I will always love Pakistan,” many said. “It’s been decades but I dream of my life there.” Many wrote and said that their parents or siblings could never ever stop talking about ‘the good old days,’ and that ‘great country’ and ‘wonderful life’. We didn’t shed a tear when the Anglos left. That’s us!

The Christians have been at the receiving end of bigotry for decades. The Anglos, who lived in some isolation and were thus often spared the abuse and ugly remarks, were lucky. So were the many Indian Christians, many of whom hailed from well-established and respected families and were not Anglos. In fact they were hardly the type who would frequent night clubs and dance sessions, being far more conservative by nature and upbringing. That left the lower classes – servants, drivers, sweepers and cleaners referred to by most Pakistanis as ‘chooras,’ a remark as racist as it can get.

They, being ‘people of the book’, are always conveniently ignored if it suits the Muslim majority but used with full so-called respect when things are otherwise. Burning of churches has been going on for decades ever since we discovered we were not going to be either caught or, God forbid, punished. So has been the case with arson and looting of places of worship, homes, schools and centres of learning.

Because we are past masters at hypocritical behaviour, we don’t protest at all. If we do, it is feebly and apologetically. Most people are afraid of the bigots and none of us wishes to be too vocal in the defence of the Christians, fearing that as so-labelled ‘supporters’ we too could be taught a lesson by the brigades of evil people who wear the armour of the righteous and are fired by the holy spirit. A friend said to me that, whatever else happens, the evil genie that Ziaul Haq let loose will never go back into the bottle. He added that no leader, present or future, would have the courage to strike off these laws.

The blasphemy charges that have come to light are, more often than not, just deplorable means to settle scores over such petty things as property feuds, money matters or plain mischief. You cannot reason with a mob gone hysterical and the real culprits know this too well. And it is no longer news that those who register cases of blasphemy are then nowhere to be found, gone without a trace. This is what happened in Badami Bagh and countless other places.

As for the laughable law and order forces, if they are present at the scene, they simply disappear. If they are desperately summoned for help, they take their own sweet time, often showing up when all that remains is smouldering ruins. If there are still mobs looting and committing arson, the police have a temporary fit of blindness. The media – which always shows up – dutifully records yet another gory and grisly drama. As for the rulers, into whose clutches we are thrust, they only arrive when the coast is clear and the last arsonist has ambled off. Then, putting on faces of great piety, goodwill to all mankind and deep felt grief and regret, they hang awhile and sail away into the sunset. Before they do that, they commit yet another deplorable act – the well-scripted cash announcement for the affectees, adding insult to injury.

Of all the unacceptable things, this must rank as the most thoughtless gesture – and insulting to the poor who have already been killed, maimed or robbed. This award thing is of course the much established and done thing when such tragedies (for some) occur because what it looks like is putting a price on a human life and then paying it off. Your obligations are over. What remains is muttering such inane nonsense as ‘no one will be allowed to play with the lives of the people.’ Or ‘no one is above the law,’ or the equally hideous, ‘the miscreants will be brought to book’ whatever that bit of nonsense means. All this is in stark contrast to the ground reality.

The criminals of the land, who multiply at an alarming rate even as we speak, will play with the lives of the people – particularly those who have no support-clout system to save themselves. Everyone and his uncle is now above the law and so deep down below has the law fallen that it is not even visible and fear not, no miscreant will ever be brought to book. It’s an exercise of shameful behaviour. Yes, those who have lost everything can do with some monetary help but why try and get some brownie points? Can’t you do it discreetly? Haven’t the poor souls paid enough already? The Joseph Colony culprits will never be brought to justice – it’s all a scam. The poor Christians would have fled long ago except they just can’t; they are our slaves and at our mercy.

And to think that not too long ago, the brute Muslim majority of this hopeless land were a minority too! They have had a very convenient time with selective amnesia.

The writer is a Lahore-based columnist. Email: masoodhasan66@gmail.com
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