MONTREAL, CANADA: This is with reference to Hamna Zubair’s article titled “Isolated indignation” (March 28) in which she talked about the tragedy that struck Fakhra Younus. I believe that legislation or punitive measures cannot eradicate social evils and inhumane practices, which are deeply embedded in our traditions and culture over centuries. What we need is a reformatory movement by the civil society to produce tangible and long-lasting results.
In this context, it is pertinent to point out a glaring deficiency of our political parties. None of these has ever had social reformation as part of their agenda, not even the All India Muslim League of the pre-independence era. A contrast with the Indian National Congress will drive home the point. The Congress led a host of reformatory movements to change the mindset of the people at the grassroots level and to liberate them from time-honoured but outdated practices incompatible with contemporary values and notions of human rights. Pakistan needs similar steps to be taken by our political parties and civil society if we wish to get rid of the various social evils that have blighted our society for decades.
Asghar Zaheer
Published in The Express Tribune, April 2nd, 2012.
