It’s time we tried and fulfilled the promises Jinnah made to Pakistanis.
LAHORE: Diversity and pluralism enrich a society. Ever since Pakistan came into being, the minorities in Pakistan have been considered inferior to the majority. Muhammad Ali Jinnah envisioned a state which all religious and ethnic minorities should proudly call their home. Yes, a state that embraced diversity wholeheartedly. With all that’s happening to the minorities in Pakistan, Jinnah’s Pakistan dies, bit by bit. Recently, Noman Masih, a 14-year-old Christian boy, was allegedly burnt alive because of his religion. With him died Jinnah’s vision of Pakistan yet again.
I, on behalf of Pakistanis who are silent for lack of direction, apologise to the Christian community in Pakistan. I’m sorry my country couldn’t make you feel at home even after 67 long years. I’m sorry for what happened in Kot Radha Kishan, I’m sorry for Gojra, for Youhanabad and I’m sorry for this, too. It’s time we tried and fulfilled the promises Jinnah made to Pakistanis. The white in our flag has significance. We must not let it be lost.
Aneela Ahmed
Published in The Express Tribune, April 21st, 2015.
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