Residents vow to remain firm on their stance regarding intolerance in society. PHOTO: FILE
The residents of Karachi, who had gathered at Nagan Chowrangi to organise a rally, pledged to remain firm on their stance against the growing intolerance in the society. The rally’s organiser, Pasban-e-Aza, Pakistan, head Rashid Rizvi said that the nation has sacrificed 70,000 lives but justice has not been served for even 70 sacrificed lives.
Understanding the sources of radicalism
Calling for proactivity
According to Rizvi, the government or the law enforcement agencies cannot handle the menace of terrorism in the society alone and the citizens need to stand firm against radicalism to counter it. He said that they have started a campaign for the martyrs of the nation and to ensure that their sacrifices do not go to waste.
The lost gems
Talking about those who were targeted, Rizvi said that we have yet to see any result in the cases of Karachi University professor Shakil Auj, religious scholar Sibte Jaffar, former Pasban-e-Aza general secretary Askari Raza, qawwal Amjad Sabri and many more. “It seems like the government has no interest in these cases,” he lamented.
Rizvi went on to criticise the police for their ‘bias’ that is reflected in their lack of will in arresting the local head of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamat (ASWJ), Aurangzeb Farooqi, who has been nominated in the FIRs of the murders of social activist Khurram Zaki and Askari Raza.
In favour of operation
The participants of the rally shouted slogans in favour of the operation against terrorism. The mother of Khurram Zaki, who was also part of the protest, told The Express Tribune that the family is still waiting for justice. She added that even though she does not have high hopes from the authorities, she believes that Allah will bring his killers to the course of justice.
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She mentioned that she was not there for her son alone, but for the many others who have lost their lives to intolerance. According to her, Khurram Zaki always raised his voice against the growing intolerance in the society. “Now we will take forward the mission he has left for us,” she said.
A similar commitment was expressed by Abid Raza, a student of software engineering, who said that he used to participate in protests with Khurram Zaki who taught him to challenge the evils of the society.
“This is the time when we should come out of our homes, take some time out from our work and raise our voice against terrorism in society,” said civil society activist Muhammad Ali.
A month ago, a conference titled ‘La-Takfir’, was also organised in the city by Civil Progressive Alliance, Pakistan, on July 17 to address the menace of increasing intolerance and radicalism in society. A large number of people, including scholars, political leaders and civil society, had attended the conference.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 22nd, 2016.
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