Unfortunately, the government in our country is not part of the problem but is in fact the whole problem
KARACHI: This is with reference to Arsla Jawaid’s excellent article of December 19 titled “Lack of clarity”. Unfortunately, the government in our country is not part of the problem but is in fact the whole problem. Moreover, those who are part of it seem to devote most of their time to increasing their personal wealth and hence, it is only expected that little is left to tackle other more pressing national and public issues. Our government lacks depth and whenever it musters courage to take action against challenges threatening the nation, it treats only the symptoms, being incapable even to diagnose the disease, much less treat it.
Consider the so-called Maulana Abdul Aziz’s refusal to condemn the Peshawar killings, which received no befitting response from the government or the ruling party. The Maulana is known to be an active sympathiser and supporter of the militants and it has been reported several times in the past that the Lal Masjid was used to provide shelter to militants. There would not be many countries in the world which would have allowed such an institution to take hold again, and additionally, allowing it to flourish in a sensitive place like the country’s capital.
Institutions like this one are flourishing all over the country, with extremists among them churning out perhaps 20 militants for every 10 that the armed forces and other law enforcers eliminate or capture. While suggesting remedial measures, I hope the Action Plan committee asks the government to keep tabs on all madrasas, associations, individuals and parties, and take strict measures on this issue, including the possible closure of all those educational institutions involved in promoting militancy and extremism. Also, funding to dubious institutions and individuals from local and foreign sources must be stopped. Taking such strong measures would be difficult for our timid rulers and we may have to resort to dharnas or similar measures to make government do all that needs to be done. That said, this is the minimum that needs to be done.
SRH Hashmi
Published in The Express Tribune, December 21st, 2014.
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