Daily Times

We have had nearly 10 years of uninterrupted democratic rule, a first in Pakistan’s history. Yet today we must ask ourselves: where did it all go so wrong? Blasphemy. The most dangerous word in Pakistan’s lexicon is back in the headlines. As if it ever truly went away.

We have seen Parliament pass resolutions condemning what it describes as blasphemous content on social media. We have seen more online bloggers arrested. We have seen an MNA issue an ultimatum to the secularists: mend your ways or leave. The “while you can” part of this threat the only thing left unsaid. We have seen an Interior minister call in the big boys at the Organisation of Islamic Conference.

None of this bodes well for this country, or, indeed for any of us. Sadly, a change in guard will not likely make a difference. The way the PPP tells it, past efforts to take on the blasphemy laws came at too high a price — a sitting governor and federal minister shot dead. Though this version leaves out the massive party U-turning that rendered both sitting targets.

As a first step, we must join hands and speak with one voice for all victims of blasphemy. Not just those who mirror ourselves. That the liberal outrage rings louder in the wake of the social media arrests should come as no surprise. Social media is itself a tool co-opted by this class, who speak the language of the colonisers to show the rest of the world the acceptable face of Pakistan. By contrast, the unacceptable faces of Pakistan are those mired in ghettoised poverty or those whose lives are defined by the bondage of their labour. Making it so much easier to brush under the carpet the fates of an illiterate brick kiln worker and his pregnant wife who were locked up, tortured and burned to death while their three young children listened to their screams.

Then we must pose the question: can an individual or group be said to have committed blasphemy (not just incitement)– against a religion in which they don’t believe? If the state insists on answering yes — then it must also be willing to accept the right of non-Muslims to level similar blasphemy charges against Muslims. But that would also open a Pandora’s box. This is too serious a matter that has become an instrument of settling scores.

Indeed the madness has grown in the recent weeks. A retired official of the armed forces has accused the Prime Minister of committing blasphemy for making a speech on religious tolerance and inclusiveness.

The Interior minister has been appeasing the clerics and the government is running a media campaign telling people that their right of free expression is subject to a long list of restrictions. Reports have emerged that during the current witch hunting session, people are being picked up at will due to their online identities. And apparently the social networking sites are collaborating with the law enforcement to provide information about social media users.

It is time that sensible officials of the government put an end to this. We remind the parliamentarians that their job is to review laws that are creating social divisions and are open to misuse. The Parliament must wake up and fulfil its responsibility before blasphemy allegations reach their doorstep. *