Pressure Pakistan
By: Hassan Ahmed

Many are aware that Pakistan is racked with traditions of religious extremism and the legal systems in Pakistan fully endorse it as evident in the anti-blasphemy laws of Pakistan. In continuation of these unfortunate traditions, a Pakistani Christian lady, Asia Bibi, has now been (legally) condemned to death for allegedly insulting the Prophet Muhammad, a horrific violation of religious freedom.

The Pakistani government’s lack of interest to religious freedom is again evident in tolerating the persecution of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community —a community committed to peace and secularism in statecraft since its inception in 1889. Just a few months ago, many relatives of American-Ahmadi-Muslims, including one of mine, were brutally massacred in mosque attacks in Lahore. The perpetrators are still roaming free.

The U.S. considers Pakistan an ally in its war against terrorism. If the U.S. intends any success it needs to continue putting pressure on Pakistan to repeal its anti-blasphemy laws and guarantee equal voting rights to all its citizens.