Another reason for attacks by extremists can be due to the patronage they receive from sections of the establishment.
DUBAI: This is with reference to Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy’s article of January 2 titled “Remembering Salmaan Taseer”.
Regulated Friday sermons are a norm in the Gulf Arab states where mosques are for prayers and government-sanctioned activities only. This self-righteous arrogance which has been cultivated in Pakistan is in clear violation of the Constitution where all citizens have the right to practice and promote their religious beliefs. Therefore, if the minorities are persecuted by religious extremists then the state and judiciary have failed in protecting the fundamental rights of Pakistani citizens. Another reason for these brazen attacks by extremists can be attributed to the patronage that they receive from some sections of the establishment which has used them to fight proxy wars in the region.
Arif Qadri
Published in The Express Tribune, January 4th, 2012.
