New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Arden has won the hearts and minds of all her citizens, especially the Muslims, after the white supremacist, Brenton Tarrant, who carried out a hate-inspired terrorist attack killing 51 Muslims in two mosques on March 15, 2019 in Christchurch was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. Muslims across the world are cheering to the fact that the terrorist will spend the rest of his life behind bars and never see the light of day as a free man. Let’s compare this prompt delivery of justice to a rather depressing state of affairs in Pakistan and many other countries, including the US, where justice is given selectively.
Countless governments and our ruling elite have claimed multiple times to bring about reformations, but their promises remain hollow. In September 2012, as many as 289 people were burned alive in the Karachi Baldia garment factory. In May 2007, some 60 innocent citizens were killed in the Karachi riots, and later over many uniformed policemen lost their lives to target killing. In 2014, as many as 14 people were killed in police action in Model Town. And in 2019, four people of the same family were killed near Sahiwal after security men open fired at their vehicle. To all these innocent people and countless others who lost their lives in similar incidents, justice is yet to be served.
When a state delivers justice to its citizens, the bonds of love and mutual respect – so vital to nurture a sense of attachment to their government – strengthens. Unfortunately, in Pakistan, the state, which remains hostage to its political alliances, has failed even when its writ is challenged.
Malik Tariq Ali
Lahore
