Warning: ‘Shoe-throwing incidents a sign of rising intolerance’

Senator Aurangeb Khan says main reason behind intolerance is social injustice

ISLAMABAD: The disrespect to public figures by few unruly people may be a pointer to some underlying social commotion but this must be curbed with stringent steps in order to ensure overall unity and cohesion in the country.

Some recent shoes-hurling incidents have stirred a debate and the sane elements have emphasized to figure out rootcauses of the unruliness before it ruptures social fabric.

"The main reason among contributors to the entire emerging scenario are social injustice and religious intolerance, leading the society towards violent extremism for which some corrective measures on war footing basis, are required to be taken collectively," said Senator Aurangzeb Khan from Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).

"Education - only real right education - is the solution to establish a society with cohesive approach to live and let live,” he said.

Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Sheikh Aftab Ahmad urged the public to respect the sanctity of vote. The recent acts of insulting political figures in a violent manner were repugnant to the teachings of Islam and moral values, he noted. The minister also suggested to the politicians to show restraint and avoid such statements that may hurt the public sentiments.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 27^th, 2018.