Towards inclusivity

Making a relatively rare public appearance, Bilawal Bhutto visited the Hindu community at Umerkot to join in the Holi celebrations on March 24. He spoke of a country where he hoped that Muslims and non-Muslims were treated equally — something that it is painfully obvious that they are not. He regretted that members of minority communities are not, even where it is possible, promoted or appointed to positions of importance. He noted that Sindh — which is home to a significant Hindu population — is soon to pass a law against forced conversions and has already passed the Hindu Marriage Act. It is also the only province to officially declare Holi a public holiday.

It would be all too easy to dismiss Mr Bhutto’s comments as mere fatuous political grandstanding, but he makes valid and timely points. Pakistan has a truly appalling record when it comes to preserving and protecting the rights of all the minority groups that live within its borders. Minorities are routinely discriminated against in every walk of life; their lives are at risk as is their property and livelihoods. There are regular instances where homes are burned, people murdered and all with seeming impunity for the perpetrators. Prosecutions for such acts are exceedingly rare. Leading politicians of all parties — religious parties excepted — make formulaic and stereotypical comments on the parlous state of the minorities but their words are rarely backed by actions. Innumerable reports stretching back decades document the myriad injustices and inequalities suffered by the minorities. There is no shortage of empirical evidence that they are the victims of profound institutionalised discrimination — and yet there is no discernible improvement in their condition. There is a body of legislation that is designed to protect minorities. It is widely ignored and almost never enforced, little more than a politically correct cosmetic designed as much to satisfy international concerns as actually address domestic needs. Whilst we welcome Mr Bhutto’s words, we remain pessimistic as to words becoming deeds.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 26^th,  2016.

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