Hateful campaign
PAKISTAN’S ruling elite often highlight the need to eliminate extremism and radicalism from society. However, the activities of extremists operating under their very noses make one question the state’s commitment to countering fanaticism. The latest victims of bigotry are members of the Ahmadi community — a group that has long suffered at the hands of extremists. According to reports, the TLP is leading a campaign on social media to damage Ahmadi places of worship in Punjab’s Sarai Alamgir town. The party had earlier championed similar actions in Jhelum, while mobs had also attacked the minority community’s religious facilities in Karachi in February. Apart from targeting their religious structures, the TLP also led a campaign to prevent Ahmadis from sacrificing animals on Eidul Azha. However, these hateful campaigns are attracting the wrong kind of attention for Pakistan internationally. In a letter written by the Office of the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights, and submitted to Pakistan’s UN representative in Geneva, the multilateral body has said it is “deeply concerned about … violent attacks” against Ahmadis, while particularly mentioning attacks on the group’s places of worship.
These are not isolated incidents, as a Hindu temple was razed reportedly by the land mafia in Karachi, while a mandir was attacked in Kashmore a few days ago. The state must do more than merely pay lip service to minorities’ constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of religion. If radical groups are not stopped from targeting and harassing non-Muslim communities, they will only grow in strength and one day may challenge the ruling elite. Moreover, Pakistan’s desire to project a ‘soft image’ will hardly be fulfilled if minority places of worship are attacked and desecrated. To protect the rights of Pakistan’s non-Muslim citizens, and prevent further censure from global bodies, the state needs to stop these odious drives and rein in the groups leading them. Surrendering to extremists will further erode whatever remains of the state’s writ.
Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2023
Regaining glory
AFTER many years, Pakistan has once again triumphed in world squash — at least at the junior level — thanks to Hamza Khan’s world title victory in Australia. Hamza’s splendid 3-1 win over Egyptian Mohammed Zakaria saw the 17-year-old become the first Pakistan squash player to win the World Junior Championship since the legendary Jansher Khan in 1986. In the intervening period of nearly four decades, only Aamir Atlas Khan came close to winning the tournament when he reached the final of the 2008 edition. “Pakistan squash is back,” said the World Squash Federation. But amid the celebrations, some depressing truths must be faced. Hamza, who won the British Junior Open in 2020, travelled to Australia without his coach or physiotherapist as the Pakistan Squash Federation didn’t have the needed funds. Such was his determination to win, though, that he powered to glory in Melbourne, raising hopes that Pakistan would regain its place atop the pedestal. Felicitations came immediately. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif hoped that Hamza would make Pakistan “invincible” in squash once again and President Arif Alvi termed his feat a “resurgent ray of hope”. But the reality is that Hamza will not be able to translate his achievement at senior levels without support from all relevant quarters, and a plan is desperately needed to restore Pakistani squash to its former glory.
Pakistan has lost its footing in the world game since the likes of Jahangir Khan and Jansher hung up their racquets. A lot of talent has come through since then but no one has been able to reach the final of the British Open or World Open since Jansher lost the title match of the former in 1998. Hamza may well follow in the footsteps of his illustrious compatriots but, as he has made clear, he needs financial support. So far his journey has been made possible by the never-ending support of his father. The PSF did support him for the World Junior Championship, bearing all his expenses for the trip to Australia. But this should just be the start and Hamza should get the necessary help to participate in the events of the Professional Squash Association circuit. He has demonstrated the ability to push further, and both the government as well as private sponsors could help him end Pakistan’s long wait for a senior title.
Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2023
Interim set-up
IT is becoming clearer and clearer that the upcoming elections will be far from a fair contest. The PML-N and PPP have lately worried that a ‘non-political’, ‘neutral’ caretaker set-up may be co-opted by the establishment and end up overstaying its welcome.
Their solution to this dilemma was, reportedly, to find a pliant politician who could ensure polls are held on time and also ‘manage’ any political challenges that may arise in the interim.
The floating of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar’s name as PML-N’s nominee for interim prime minister, accompanied by reports of a planned legislative move to give the caretakers powers otherwise reserved for elected regimes, has triggered renewed speculation over what fresh crises may lie in store for the country in the months ahead.
PML-N insiders have said that Nawaz Sharif had “made it clear” that the interim PM will be of the government’s choosing, “come what may”. It appeared to be a message for the establishment, which is rumoured to be backing its own horse in the race. But could an interim set-up that is obviously partisan — either in favour of a political grouping or the establishment — ever be acceptable?
Apparently, the PML-N would like nothing better, but it does not seem to have the PPP backing it up on this. On Monday, PPP’s Sherry Rehman made it clear that the party does not consider Mr Dar a candidate for interim PM as his candidacy hasn’t been “discussed” with the PPP yet.
There was much indignation in the PPP camp after local media reported Mr Dar was being considered for the job, with many saying the appointment of someone from the Sharif clan would be “unacceptable”.
It is worth recalling that the government’s justification for violating the Constitution in delaying the Punjab and KP assembly elections earlier this year rested on the argument that having an elected government in the two provinces would make it ‘impossible’ to hold a free and fair general election there some months later.
The government’s intransigence on this matter precipitated the debilitating political unrest seen earlier this year, which also had grave implications for the economy.
For the government to now take a U-turn on the need for a neutral set-up overseeing the poll process is rank hypocrisy. There may be nothing in the law that prohibits someone affiliated with a political party from being part of an interim set-up, but the country desperately needs an election free of every conceivable controversy.
Appointing someone who is a loyalist to this side or that will greatly damage the credibility of the exercise. There is no shortage of capable, self-respecting men and women in this country who can be given the job and trusted to deliver. Enough of these games.
Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2023