The Quaid would be proud of how you have heeded his every word, in a manner he never dreamt in his worst nightmares.
MANCHESTER: This is with reference to Raza Rumi’s article “What if Bulleh Shah were alive today?” (July 12). While the current state of affairs with regards to religious extremism in Pakistan may be depressing, at least the country is living up to most of MA Jinnah’s pledge about how in the new state, Hindus will cease to be Hindus and Christians will cease to be Christians … Well, the way we have (mis)treated them almost makes sure that this is indeed the case today, and we are almost at the stage where even Muslims will cease to be Muslims.
Mr Jinnah had also stated that one’s religion and beliefs would have nothing to do with the business of the state. Well, the way mob justice is being carried out in Pakistan today, and the way militants such as the Taliban override the state’s writ with impunity, and the way Shias and Ahmadis have been slaughtered while the state stands by silently, of course, it is no longer the business of the state to protect one’s religious beliefs.
Well done Pakistanis, the Quaid would be proud of how you have heeded his every word, though in a manner he probably never dreamt in his worst nightmares.
M Adil
Published in The Express Tribune, July 13th, 2012.
