3/7/11, Letter to Editor, Dawn

HOW and when Pakistan and its citizens would realise that Shahbaz Bhatti’s murder is a bitter fruit of appeasement of extremist and militant groups.

Subsequent appeasements during the past half century by civilian and military governments alike have nurtured this monster of state-sponsored terrorism under the banner of Islam.

Islam is much bigger than Pakistan, and Muslims have to realise that no group can monopolise Islam. Let us take the proverbial bull by its horns and vehemently state that the Holy Quran does not classify blasphemy as a capital crime.

We must also state that Pakistan’s blasphemy law is contrary to the Quran. This repressive law was first enacted by the British in the 16th century. It is still being used to subjugate minorities, and some people have even accorded it a divine status.

The assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti and the Jan 4 killing of Salman Taseer indicate the murder of Islamic tolerance and reason in Pakistan.

For survival and rehabilitation in a civilised world, Pakistan must urgently shift its policy of appeasing extremists. This policy change must have the wholehearted support of the intelligentsia, military, the judiciary and the political class.

The political cowardice and institutional myopia that encourages such appeasement must end now for the sake of the country’s existence as a peaceful land.