Normal temperatures

The return of normalcy to Rawalpindi on November 18, as the curfew imposed after an Ashura Day clash was lifted, road blocks cleared and schools re-opened is, of course, good news. However, while calm seems to have returned to Rawalpindi, the sectarian fire it fuelled has not entirely died down. Curfew has been imposed in Hangu and Kohat after two people were shot dead by unidentified gunmen who fired on an Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat demonstration in Kohat. Clearly, it is important that we resolve what exactly happened in Rawalpindi to reduce the sectarian tensions which erupted after unknown persons grabbed guns from the police and fired into a procession, killing nine and injuring some 80.

The judicial inquiry set up into the matter by the Lahore High Court at the request of the Punjab government, and the investigation by the provincial government itself, are both important. It is crucial that we get to the bottom of the matter, especially since conspiracy theories of various kinds continue to do the rounds. These can most effectively be quashed by putting the truth out there before the people. At the same time, we must build within both the media and citizens, the need for great responsibility and caution at times like this. Disseminating unsubstantiated information can have extremely dangerous consequences in a nation as volatile as ours.

The closing down of roads in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, as well as the suspension of mobile phone networks, which began to be restored on November 17, caused inconvenience to many and this is unfortunate. But at the same time, the authorities need to be commended for succeeding in keeping the violence contained; if they were guilty of negligence to any degree, this will emerge as the inquiry gets underway. On its basis, any oversight should be penalised. In the meantime, efforts should continue to to prevent the sectarian violence from spiralling out of control even more than it already has.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 19^th, 2013.

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