Pakistan is a country where all citizens are considered equal by law, yet targeted killings continue to surface
ISLAMABAD: The practice of momentarily giving attention to the news cycle and neglecting issues in the long run epitomises Pakistan’s challenges. Killings of the Shia community have been one of the major challenges in the last decade. Hundreds of Shias are targeted in every incident and the frequency of occurrence is always getting higher. From mosques to vegetable markets, there is no place where they feel safe or take a breath of relief.
Sadly, Pakistan is a country where all citizens are considered equal by law, yet targeted victimisation and killings continue to surface. In the last five years, several major bomb blasts have happened, targeting the Parachinar community. There seems to be no voice for these since our mainstream electronic and print media is keenly focused on populist political coverage.
Meaningless condemnation without any major action will not do any good. There are key questions that need to addressed, if we wish to never see any more incidents happening in Parachinar: why do the banned organisations continue to function and target despite our counter-terrorism initiatives? What actions have been taken to bring down institutes that offer hate and venom against other religious sects? Where has the line been drawn for shutting the corridors of power for religious hate preachers? What has been the implementation of commission reports especially Quetta Commission and Model Town incident? Who is calling the accountability shots and why does the entire political spectrum remain quiet about all these killings?
The coffins will continue to lie on the streets of Parachinar, the long sit-ins will continue, eyes will weep, mothers will keep mourning, but will my nation stand up once and for all?
Shumail Javed
Published in The Express Tribune, June 30th, 2017.
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