Terrorism, ethnic tensions and global lessons

The scourge of terrorism and ethnic conflict has frayed the very fabric of Pakistani society. The ideals that once led to the creation of a homeland for Muslims in the subcontinent seem to have lost their resilience, and the dream of unity has faded under the weight of internal discord. Today, Pakistan's provincial fissures bear an unsettling resemblance to the disintegration of Yugoslavia - a stark warning from history.

Yugoslavia, a sovereign state in Southeast Europe for much of the 20th century, crumbled in the 1990s under the strain of ethnic tensions, rampant nationalism and political fragmentation. Province by province, the country dissolved: Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and Serbia all declared independence, culminating in the complete collapse of the state. Civil wars, ethnic cleansing, and the failure of governance left an indelible scar on the region. Pakistan today faces eerily familiar challenges.

Ethnic Conflicts and the Spectre of Terrorism

Pakistan is burning in a similar cauldron. From the insurgency in Balochistan to the turmoil in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, and simmering resentments against Punjab, the nation teeters on the edge of internal chaos. The spike in militant attacks across provinces reflects an alarming erosion of state authority. Reports suggest that violence has engulfed nearly 20 districts, with the collapse of governance only deepening the crisis.

Recent incidents - including the hijacking of a passenger train and coordinated terrorist assaults - point to the alarming strength of militant factions, sustained, it seems, by local sympathies. Ironically, security crackdowns have backfired, swelling the militants' ranks as disillusioned youth are drawn to their cause. Particularly alarming is the growing participation of women, both as rights activists and as suicide bombers.

The Politicisation of Religion

Sectarian divides have further fractured the social landscape. Sunni and Shia Muslims, once bound by common faith, now stand apart in prayer and in community. Divergent beliefs have spawned cultural rifts, each sect quick to blame the other. Most dangerously, political actors manipulate these religious sensitivities, weaponising faith to wage propaganda wars against their opponents. Amidst this toxic environment, the dream of national cohesion feels like a mirage.

Coexistence: A Difficult but Possible Reality

Sceptics may claim that coexistence is a utopian fantasy, but they overlook real-world examples where it thrives. Azerbaijan stands as a testament to the possibility of harmony amid diversity. Located at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, Azerbaijan shelters a tapestry of cultures and faiths: Muslims, Christians and Jews coexist peacefully despite regional turbulence.

More than 30,000 Jews live alongside 10 million Muslims, with mosques, synagogues and churches dotting the landscape. Remarkably, Jewish schools have been inaugurated by the nation's president himself, and a dedicated government building oversees the affairs of all religions.

Azerbaijan celebrates interfaith harmony, with followers of different faiths partaking in each other's festivals and even intermarrying. Even more astounding is the fact that Sunni and Shia Muslims, despite global sectarian tensions, pray together in the same mosques - a rare and inspiring sight outside of the holy city of Makkah.

What explains this extraordinary harmony? Geography offers a clue. Positioned along the historic Silk Road, Azerbaijan has, for centuries, absorbed and integrated diverse cultures and philosophies. Tolerance, here, is not merely taught - it has evolved organically in the absence of extremism.

Lessons for Pakistan

If people of different faiths can coexist peacefully, why can't followers of the same religion do the same? Tolerance may not be instinctive, but it can be cultivated. We must turn to the wisdom of Charles Darwin: his theory of evolution teaches us that adaptation arises from geographical and environmental diversity. Just as birds in the Galapagos Islands developed varied beaks to suit their habitats, so too can human societies flourish in their diversity.

Pakistan's provinces, shaped by distinct climates, cultures and histories, need not be battlegrounds for supremacy. Instead, we should celebrate our differences as the essence of our shared humanity.

At the state level, decisive action is imperative. The government must confront these conflicts with unwavering resolve. Education reform is critical to nurture critical thinking, tolerance and inclusivity from a young age.

Robust rule of law must prevail, punishing hate speech and discrimination swiftly and justly. The media should adopt a responsible role, promoting narratives of peace rather than sensationalism. Interfaith dialogue and cultural exchange must be actively encouraged, providing platforms for our youth to imagine a future free from hatred.

Leadership matters. Political figures must rise above narrow interests, embodying unity and condemning divisiveness. If Pakistan prioritises education, justice and inclusion, it can foster a society where respect, harmony, and shared purpose flourish.