Yesterday marked the second death anniversary of rights activist and blogger Sabeen Mahmud, who was brutally taken from our midst on April 24th, 2015. As some Pakistanis remember an outstanding woman, it is important to highlight where the problem lies with our society. First, notice the use of the word ‘some’ above. For it is only some Pakistanis who care — or dare — to remember Sabeen. Many, unfortunately, are either afraid or suffer from apathy or ideological opposition to the more open, democratic society that she came to represent in death as much as in life. The fundamental tragedy, perhaps, is that we are becoming accustomed to such violence and the impunity with which it occurs. The truth is that Sabeen symbolises the aspirations for a more progressive Pakistan that are repeatedly dashed every time a bright light from our society is extinguished. This brings us to a second, related issue: that unfortunately, this process of putting out lamps did not end with Sabeen. The hearts of those who believe in a democratic, forward-looking, peaceful and above all, humane Pakistan, were shattered once again recently with the brutal lynching of young Mashal. In the case of Mashal Khan, the same forces were at work that took Sabeen from amongst us: state-sponsored bigotry, or worse, complicity of those tasked with the protection of Pakistanis. The nexus of an authoritarian state and an increasingly obscurantist, fundamentalist society continues to assault every figure who represents hope for a better Pakistan — big or small, young or old. It is very clear that there are many in Pakistan who wish to silence any voices which question the dark path imposed on us by General Ziaul Haq and his ideological progeny. And this brings us to the last heartbreaking aspect, which we must bear in mind as we remember and continue to mourn Sabeen. That aspect is accountability. It must be remembered that when an innocent life is snuffed out, and backward elements of state and society are implicated, only an impartial, transparent and fearless investigation can provide answers to the burning questions, which thus arise. Unfortunately in Pakistan, we have grown used to facile, unsatisfactory answers about “who did it” from those who rule us. Perhaps, we have grown too used to losing Sabeen and her kind. If Pakistan is to survive and prosper, this must end. *