Daily Times

The outcry against the brutal lynching of Mashal Khan has indeed been unprecedented. No less a figure than the Imam-e-Kaabah himself has joined the chorus of voices condemning those who carried out the murder. There are those who argue that this may be something of a turning point in the saga of brazen killings in Pakistan over allegations of blasphemy. There are, however, reasons for concern.

One of the most worrying aspects is that day by day, the extent of involvement by university administrators is emerging. One of the suspects in police custody, Wajahat, claims that he was asked by the university administration to testify against Mashal, in the accusations of blasphemy against the latter. Meanwhile, law enforcement authorities continue to unearth evidence that Mashal had not committed any blasphemy. The problem, however, is that no amount of evidence will convince the bloodthirsty elements who have pushed such demands for blood in the past and still do so.

Now that a significant number of suspects is in custody, and the Chief Minister Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Mr. Pervez Khattak has himself stated in the provincial assembly that no evidence was found to implicate the slain Mashal in any blasphemous utterance or activity, it is all the more imperative that justice be meted out through due process. However, even though they have been less vocal than usual, the threat from rabid supporters of lynchings remains very real. In the past, such a threat has prevented law-enforcement, judicial and political authorities from taking decisive action against such fanatic murderers. Given the attitudes expressed until the very recent past by such authorities, it is perhaps justified to wonder if the same darkness will once again prevail in Pakistan.

While condemnation has been fairly widespread across the country, it must be remembered that the threat from fanatical forces is very real. The assassinations of minister Shahbaz Bhatti and Governor Salmaan Taseer, as well as subsequent events, have proved that nobody is safe when faced with such mindless violence. So, one wonders if the resolve of the law enforcement, judicial and political authorities will stand firm in the event of a backlash from some religious and political elements who are highly invested in continuing the bloodshed using spurious blasphemy accusations. It would be well to remember that this has become a very powerful tool of control for many a vested interest in our society. They will not give it up easily.  *