Daily Times

January 4, 2011, etches a bloodstained historical scar on Pakistan’s tapestry, a nation grappling with the echoes of terror that relentlessly haunt its intellectual and progressive community. On this solemn day, we remember the cold-blooded murder of Salmaan Taseer in the Kohsar Market – an event that transcended the loss of an individual and became a pivotal moment of anguish for progressive ideals in Pakistan.

Salmaan Taseer was an extraordinary figure-a vocal humanist who fearlessly stood against extremism, a staunch advocate for liberalism, and a leading voice in progressive movements championing feminist causes, transgender rights, and minority rights. His tragic assassination by the extremist Mumtaz Qadri was intricately woven into the tale of a Christian woman, Asiya Bibi, transforming a seemingly humane act-Christian and Muslim women sharing potable water-into a national display of hatred, extremism, intolerance, and fanaticism.

On this 13th death anniversary, let us pledge to honour his sacrifice by persistently advocating for justice, tolerance, and human rights in Pakistan.

In June 2008, Asiya Bibi offered water to her fellow workers on a farm, only to face rejection from some Muslim women due to her Christian faith. The subsequent alleged derogatory remarks about Prophet Mohammed led to her being charged with blasphemy – a heinous crime punishable by death in Pakistan. Taseer’s courage shone as he took a stand, giving interviews and calling for a presidential pardon for Bibi, advocating for her case publicly on TV channels.

However, the narrative shifted as slanderers, disguised as ‘peaceful clerics,’ initiated a malicious campaign against Taseer. In Friday mosque sermons and protests, Asiya Bibi’s case became a symbol of defiance, with elements asserting Muslim supremacy over ‘the other.’ Taseer, painted as a traitor in this false narrative, fell victim to the conspiracies spun by clerics, ultimately facing the fatal act of religious fanaticism.

Mumtaz Qadri, entrusted with protecting Salmaan Taseer as his guard, turned assailant, assassinating him in broad daylight. Qadri’s act, fueled by the narrative propagated by clerics, extinguished the light at the end of the tunnel, leaving Taseer’s family in disarray. The repercussions were profound-Shahbaz Taseer, Salman’s son, endured torturous captivity in Afghanistan for five years, while financial constraints burdened the family already shouldering the responsibility of seeking justice.

The bravery of Salmaan Taseer echoes in the resilience of his sons, Shehryar Taseer and Shahbaz Taseer. In the face of offers from the US for high-profile protection and the looming spectre of fear, Shehryar Taseer staunchly refused to leave his homeland, declaring, “Why should I or my family leave our country? Mera jeena marna Pakistan main hoga.” At the age of 24, he undertook the arduous task of single-handedly pleading his father’s case, culminating in the years-long pursuit of justice that led to Mumtaz Qadri’s execution.

Pakistan, confronted with a deep identity crisis, grapples with the legacies of its founding figure, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, whose double-meaning statements on a pluralist Pakistan fuel the ongoing debate on secularism versus religion. The nation stands at a crossroads as it navigates through the tussle between religious scholars and advocates of peaceful liberal progressive ideals. The dilemma is stark – Pakistan needs to take inspiration from countries like Bangladesh, where Muslims actively endorse maintaining a secular, religiously neutral political space.

The increased extremism in Pakistan, exacerbated by banned outfits, underscores a critical juncture in the nation’s trajectory. Salmaan Taseer’s legacy stands tall as a beacon, urging a collective stance against extremism and a commitment to fostering a more inclusive, compassionate, and tolerant society.

On this 13th death anniversary, as we commemorate Salmaan Taseer’s indomitable spirit, let us pledge to honour his sacrifice by persistently advocating for justice, tolerance, and human rights in Pakistan. Taseer’s legacy, far from being a mere remembrance, should be a call to action-a reminder that the fight against extremism is ongoing, and the struggle for a more equitable Pakistan must persist.

The writer is an award-winning investigative digital, print and broadcast journalist who hosts his vlog “The Scoop With Hassan Naqvi”. He can be reached on X@HassanNaqvi5.