Pak Tea House » Uncategorized » Salman Taseer’s death provides a parable of why his country, which promised so much, has slipped so far

Salman Taseer’s death provides a parable of why his country, which promised so much, has slipped so far

January 13th, 2011 | 19 Comments

From the Economist

A good man who did something

Jan 6th 2011 | from PRINT EDITION

IN HIS first speech to Pakistan’s constituent assembly, on August 11th 1947, the country’s president, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, made clear his belief that religious toleration should prevail in the country he had brought into being. “You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship in this state of Pakistan.” It is a dreadful measure of how far Pakistan has sunk since then that Salman Taseer, governor of Punjab, was murdered on January 4th because of his outspoken support for that principle.

Mr Taseer, a member of the Pakistan People’s Party and a close ally of the president, Asif Ali Zardari, had been campaigning on behalf of Asia Bibi, an illiterate Christian farm worker who in the course of a row with neighbours over drinking water was accused of blasphemy, convicted and sentenced to death. He had called for her to be pardoned, and also for the law, under which death for blasphemy against the prophet is mandatory, to be changed. His murderer, one of his bodyguards, said this was why the governor was killed.

The wider horror

The blasphemy law is bad enough in itself, but it also gives official sanction to a growing atmosphere of religious intolerance in Pakistan. Nobody has been executed under the law, but some fundamentalists regard it as their duty to do what the legal system has failed to do, and 32 people charged or convicted under the law have been murdered. Clerics called a national strike on December 31st to oppose a change in the law; whether out of support for the fundamentalists, or out of fear, it was widely observed.

Religious intolerance has also manifested itself in a horrifying wave of sectarian violence. In August 2009 the burning of a Christian church, after claims that a Koran had been desecrated, killed nine people. In May last year attacks on two mosques of the Ahmadi sect—which some mainstream Muslims regard as apostate—killed 95. In September an attack on a Shia procession killed 35 people.

Responsibility for turning Pakistan from the country that Jinnah hoped it would become into the bloodstained place it is today must be widely shared, but there are a few obvious culprits. First among them is the army. Zia ul Haq, the military dictator who took power in a coup in 1977 (and who imprisoned Mr Taseer and had him tortured), introduced sharia law, set up many of the religious schools that have produced the extremists who now plague the country, and promoted fundamentalist officers. His successors in the army have nurtured extremist groups to use them as tools within Afghanistan and against India, with little regard for their own country’s safety.

The politicians are not guilt-free, either. As a class, their venality has given democracy such a bad name that mullahs who decry it get an enthusiastic hearing; but some individuals have extra burdens of guilt to bear. Nawaz Sharif, twice prime minister, formerly chief minister of Punjab and whose brother now holds that post, has long numbered fundamentalists among his allies, and it was during his time in power that the mandatory death sentence was introduced. After the Ahmadi massacre in Punjab’s capital, Lahore, neither of the Sharifs visited the mosques to pay their respects to the community.

But the Pakistan People’s Party must take its share of the blame, too. Its manifesto committed it to repealing discriminatory laws, and President Zardari made much of Ms Bibi’s case. But instead of granting a swift pardon (which he did for his interior minister, Rehman Malik, who was convicted of corruption last year) he dithered until the case became a cause célèbre for fundamentalists and then lost his nerve. The government abandoned the only two politicians brave enough to pursue the matter—Mr Taseer and Sherry Rehman, an MP who had introduced a private member’s bill to amend the law—and said it would not change the legislation.

For evil to prevail, as the old saw goes, all that is required is for good men to do nothing. But Mr Taseer’s fate shows how high a price those who do something may have to pay.

Brave people who are isolated are easy to pick off. Pakistan’s slide into darkness will be stopped only if its political class hangs together and clings on to the values Jinnah predicted would make the place “one of the greatest countries in the world”. It is a phrase that rings with tragic irony today.

Written by yasserlatifhamdani

Filed under: Uncategorized · Tags: country, free, Pakistan, religious

19 Responses to "Salman Taseer’s death provides a parable of why his country, which promised so much, has slipped so far"

Ally says:

January 13, 2011 at 6:30 pm

YLH

Can one of you guys do an article that explains the next steps forward for the liberal and normal people of Pakistan? We’ve had enough analysis etc. now its time for soultions and the next step forward!

Thanks
Gabban says:

January 13, 2011 at 7:33 pm

Ally saheb,
‘Solutions and step forward’ …
To begin with …
(1) immediate stop of payment to Army of
Pakistan and ISI by USA, Saudi Arabia and whichever
donors
(2) no direct contact by US / Britain or any
other country with Army of
Pakistan and ISI
(3) immediate trade and commerce arrangament
with India to generate employment
Thank you and have a nice day !
Humanity says:

January 13, 2011 at 7:55 pm

To all the people who desire a better country for the future generation:

We have done enough venting with the snide comment and meaningless remarks. It is time now to change the tone, roll up the sleeves, and seriously come together to make some change.

In the absence of a leader, each one of can start the change by changing ourselves. Let each pick one thing to change in our own selves that will show that we care for the country and for the community. The extreme mindset can only be changed through love. Lets us show the extremists there is goodness in being kind towards the fellow human beings.

Let us do to others what we would like to be done to us. Let us please stop using words that hurt. Let us start taking actions that help. Let us start by saying we are sorry if our words or actions have hurt anyone.

I for one am tired of feeling bad, sad, and mad. I will let go my anger and draw from the positive energy of faith and hope. Let us be guided by our own humanity to lead us back from despondency. Allah is with those who have faith in Him and are steadfast. His help is imminent, insh’Allah!
Sana Saleem says:

January 13, 2011 at 8:27 pm

Preaching Islam peacefully can be more effective than doing all this extremism. Such actions have given the impression that Islam teaches terrorism.
Feroz Khan says:

January 13, 2011 at 9:14 pm

@ Ally

There is one possible option, but it fraught with implications that clearly need to be understood.

ciao
Pan-Subcontinentalism says:

January 13, 2011 at 9:31 pm

Feroz Khan wrote: There is one possible option, but it fraught with implications that clearly need to be understood.

Good solutions would come from Men with clarity of thought and purpose! Question is: would others who still hang on to old dreams, be able to discard their straws and dream anew, and hear out the men of clarity.

I wish you good luck!
Milestogo says:

January 13, 2011 at 10:29 pm

Here is my 4 cents –

1 get quadri hanged
2 forget india, love china
3 don’t fight bad Islam with good Islam
4 fight bad Islam by ducking / shielding
Fellow-Pakistani says:

January 13, 2011 at 11:48 pm

REVENGE BY AN AHMADI’S SON FROM PAKISTANIS:
” Zia ul Haq, the military dictator who took power in a coup in 1977 (and who imprisoned Mr Taseer and had him tortured), introduced sharia law, set up many of the religious schools that have produced the extremists who now plague the country, and promoted fundamentalist officers. ”

General ZIA UL HAQ WHETHER REALIZED IT OR NOT (he being a son of Ahmadi) UNDER A DIVINE PLAN TOOK REVENGE FROM PAKISTANI PEOPLE, FOR THEIR 1974, 2nd constitutional ammendmentment. BY PUTTING PAKISTANIS ON A PATH, THAT TODAY THEY ARE DECLARING EACH OTHER KAFIR (non Muslim) AND CUTTING EACH OTHER THROATS.
Sorry, Pakistani fellows, but this is what i see!!!!
You guys must have heard:
‘Lord works in mysterious ways’.
Amit Kumar says:

January 14, 2011 at 12:47 am

Hi All,
I have used this website most of the time to understand our friends in Pakistan and did not miss the opportunity to blame and criticize. Today i want to share my success story and if anyone in Pakistan wants to replicate this i will be more than happy to share my experience.

I along with 8 friends have formed a trust and we run a private school in rural Bihar (there is no electricity there). We are using latest technology to provide “world class education at a very affordable price”. Recently Indian Express published our story and even wrote an editorial about our effort and how Indain Govt and implement our simple ideas.

Here is our story -

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/In-powerless-Bihar-village–a-school-by-innovation-and-Skype/735925

and here is Indian Express Editorial –
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/It-takes-a-school/736302

If any tech savy Pakistani wants to do something like this i can share.

Cya
Talha says:

January 14, 2011 at 12:56 am

Zia ul Haq had an Ahmadi father, LOL.

That is the Joke of the year.

Zia’s father was an Ahrari, he was also a nephew of Jamaat-e-Islami leader Mian Tufail.

This is coming from an Ahmadi whose grandfather was a family friend of Zia’s family.
Fellow-Pakistani says:

January 14, 2011 at 3:22 am

Zia ul Haq father was Imam Masjid of Ahmadiyya Mosque in Jalandhar.
I have personally talked to Lahori-Ahmadiyya elders who know ZUQ father.
Hint:
Go and listen to the FIRST SPEECH of ZUQ, after the over throw on July 5 1977. Listen how he starts his speech….he recites opening prayer just the way Ahmadis (both Lahori and Qadiani groups) start. That trend got popular after ZUQ speeches.
Fellow-Pakistani says:

January 14, 2011 at 3:22 am

Correction:
I meant ZUH (not ZUQ).
Fellow-Pakistani says:

January 14, 2011 at 3:25 am

ZUH personally went to Lahore Ahmadiyya Headquarters and offered Fatiah of then LAM ameer’s son Maj. Gen Abdullah Saeed (he was appointed Marshal Law administrator of Baluchistan).
Fellow-Pakistani says:

January 14, 2011 at 3:26 am

About Mian Tufail:
He considers Lahori Ahmadia as MUSLIMS.
Abu Talhah says:

January 14, 2011 at 10:15 am

After reading about Zia’s background, it will be worthwhile to dig the background of the ideologized {as he passed away before the Pakistan Resolution was adopted in 1940} founder of Pakistan,Allama Iqbal who only a few years before his death was working with Ahmadis for the rights of Kashmiris, do not forget that his father was Ahmadi.Read Wali Khan’s ‘Facts are Facts’ and learn about Zafrullah Khan’s role in the struggle for Pakistan.So Ahmadis created it and now they are going to be a cause of its destruction as a proxy, in the garb of Zia’s created monsters.Who will be having the last laugh before the history is written as it was and not as it should have been.
Fellow Pakistani says:

January 14, 2011 at 11:31 am

@Abu Talhah:
“Who will be having the last laugh before the history is written as it was and not as it should have been.”

‘Lord works in mysterious ways’.
Talha says:

January 14, 2011 at 2:38 pm

Allama Iqbal was an Ahmadi (but he left around 1932 after the Kashmir Committe and other events), his nephew remained an Ahmadi till his death in 2000 and his first son’s family (Aftab Ahmed) is Ahmadi to this day.

Ahmadi’s did have a big role in creating Pakistan but branding Zia an Ahmadi and then blaming his actions as an Ahmadi to destroy Pakistan is just absurd.

Ahmadi’s have sufferred the most becuase of Zia and somehow you conspiracy theorists are blaming them for Pakistan’s destruction.

In reality, Ahmadi’s can contribute a lot to save Pakistan just like they contributed in making it.
BA says:

January 14, 2011 at 8:51 pm

For all those who are advocating to preach Islam by love, I respect them but sadly it seems impractical to me. A nation which is expert of attributing to others anything they want and then carrying out horrible acts of beheading, amputation and flogging publicly, will they let anybody disagree with them even if it is with love and peace.
libertarian says:

January 14, 2011 at 10:49 pm

About Mian Tufail:
He considers Lahori Ahmadia as MUSLIMS.

Yay! Yippeee! And your point?