Daily Times

After the deadly Taliban attack on the Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar, Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif has announced an ambitious 20-point plan of action to eradicate extremism and terrorism from the country. It seems that eradicating extremism and terrorism from the country has become a top priority of the government but, unfortunately, the leaders of religious parties and madrassas (seminaries) are already expressing their reservations. The media and some analysts are also expressing their suspicions, saying that the proof of the pudding is in the eating. I think this is because of the government’s history of making big and tall claims but following them up with no action.

Similarly, instead of taking immediate and strong action against the Taliban and other extremists, the government has formed over a dozen committees and subcommittees but nothing concrete so far. Therefore, this is an opportunity for the government to amend its mistakes and change its citizens’ and the world’s perception about Pakistan. I am not sure if this atrocity has had any effect on our politicians but surely this attack on innocent children has changed the Pakistani public’s opinion and they seem to be standing against the Taliban, growing extremism and terrorism.

The Pakistani government and politicians must understand this new trend and get the job done otherwise someone else will have to do it for them. Army chief General Raheel Sharif seems very clear in his vision and actions, and this is a clear signal for the politicians. It is therefore better for the government to try to understand the need of the hour and join forces with the army, making the most of this opportunity.

I am glad the PM has recognised the minorities’ suffering, thus including point number nine on the action plan to ensure security for minorities in the country via the uprooting of extremism and terrorism. Pakistan’s minorities, particularly Christians, have been suffering since its inception and living under constant fear for their lives. The majority of atrocities against them have been committed by extremist groups in Punjab. Although the PML-N leadership has in the past denied the existence of these groups and its links to them, the PM has now admitted it. However, taking action against them will not be easy as there are several hurdles to overcome.

The PML-N should not forget the role of the Christian leadership in Punjab. The province was achieved because of the Christian leadership’s support but, unfortunately, now they are fleeing the country to save their lives. They have realised that their honour, worship places and their properties will not be protected. It is a great challenge for the Muslim League government, as the founder of Pakistan and the then head of the Muslim League had ensured equal citizenship rights to minorities. However, after the Quaid’s death, no Muslim League government could keep his promises to the minorities. I am sorry that even after 67 years we have failed to consider minorities as equal citizens of the country. Instead, efforts are being made to expel them from Pakistan, the land their forefathers struggled for.

Recently, I saw Minister for Justice and Law Pervez Rasheed’s statement that the 1973 Constitution ensured equal rights to all citizens of Pakistan and that there was no discrimination among Muslims and non-Muslims. There was no need to have separate laws for the minorities as they were equal citizens of the country. But I am afraid they have never been considered equal citizens of the county and the Constitution of Pakistan does not confer them equal status. We all know this reality and if Pervez Rasheed does not know it, or does not want to admit it, then the PM’s plan for ensuring security to minorities is never going be successful. This mindset has to be changed too.

Last year, the ex-Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Tassaduq Husain Jillani, ordered the constitution of a Council for Minorities’ Rights (CMR) but, unfortunately, it is still pending. In November, the Supreme Court (SC) of Pakistan resumed a hearing related to the implementation of the SC’s order of June 19, 2014 about a national council for minorities. Its function will be to monitor the practical realisation of the rights of and safeguards for minorities under the constitution and law. The council will also be mandated to frame policy recommendations for safeguarding and protecting minorities’ rights by the provincial and federal governments. We heard some time ago that a consensus had been reached between the government and opposition but still there is nothing. Also, I have doubts about whether minority groups have been consulted over this matter.

The blasphemy law is continuously being misused against the minorities, with the recent beating and then burning alive in a brick kiln of Christian couple Shama and Shehzad being one of the worst examples. The Punjab government formed a three-member committee and paid compensation to their children, who at this age need their parents more than money, but this has become a routine practice of the government. Instead of ensuring justice, treating the cause and introducing some deterrence, they simply pay the compensation and forget the rest. However, the SC has taken suo motu notice and the hearing is still ongoing. This has caused hope for justice to rise, but the government still has to work to stop the ongoing misuse of the law and to ensure security and protection to minorities.

Vigilante killings, attacks on churches, temples and minorities’ properties and forced conversion are now an everyday matter. It is not just down to the blasphemy law but the use of it to demonstrate the growing hatred against religious minorities. If the PM really wants to protect and secure the minorities’ future in Pakistan, minorities have to be recognised as equal citizens of Pakistan. We have to educate our present and coming generations about the minorities’ and particularly Christians’ role in the making of Pakistan.

I believe that the Pakistan Muslim League has a particular responsibility towards Christians and other religious minorities as they (Muslim League) consider themselves the true heir of Quaid-e-Azam. Unfortunately, they have lost the vision of Quaid about Pakistan and minorities too. The Quaid had several minority leaders around him, he was aware of minorities’ issues and all of his struggles for a separate country were for the then Muslim minority of India. Other theories and slogans came afterwards.

The recognition of minorities’ suffering is great, but just adding a point will not be enough. This is the time to take action to ensure security for the minorities. Recognising their services and role in the making of Pakistan would be a good start and this can be achieved by simply adding a chapter to school and college books. Legislation to ensure security and protection to minorities is also necessary, otherwise the PM’s action plan will never be accomplished.

The writer is a freelance columnist