Daily Times

The attacks on Pakistani Christians continue unabated. Yesterday’s attack on Christian worshippers who were leaving the church in Essa Nagri area is the second during this month, indicating a serious breakdown of law and order in the provincial capital. Reportedly, at least two members of the Christian community were killed and five others were injured due to the firing incident.

Last year, a similar attack took place on the Bethel Memorial Methodist church in Quetta, which also killed many Christian citizens of Pakistan. It is evident that certain non-state militias that consider killing of non-Muslims as a kosher act are very much active and undeterred, despite the various attempts by law enforcement agencies to contain their nefarious activities.

Pakistani Christians have been at the receiving end of state sanctioned legal discrimination; violent mobs; unfairly applied blasphemy laws; and violent militias that wish to purify Pakistan. Across the country, Christian families have been targeted, their houses torched and many languish in jail due to trumped up blasphemy cases. A key reason for these repeated attacks is the impunity for attackers due to the failures of our so-called criminal justice system. The attacks on Christians are by and large go unpunished and this creates an ideal environment for hate crimes to occur. This all has to end if we are serious about enforcing the notion of equal citizenship as mandated by the constitution of Pakistan.

Balochistan is a province mired by violence and lawlessness of all kinds. In certain parts, the Baloch separatists carry out senseless violence. The banned Lashkar-e-Jhangvi has a lethal Balochistan wing, which according to media reports, still survives. It should not be forgotten that Balochistan has also been a safe haven for the Afghan Taliban, who for long have operated under the umbrella of Quetta Shura. The most intriguing part of this story is that our state leaves no opportunity to remind Pakistanis how the foreign hand operates in Balochistan, but its ability to crack down on internal and external violent actors seems to be limited.

Targeting of minority groups such as Hazara Shias, Christians, poor labourers and of late, Chinese personnel have become everyday stories. Should it not be a matter of concern that the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is passing through this lawless province. Balochistan’s security is important for the entire country as our national hope for a better economic future is linked to the CPEC and its spill overs. It is time that the federal government, especially the military that has the final say in all matters of security, took note of what is going on and take immediate corrective measures. There is no alternative to the expansion of a police force which is well trained and can undertake public safety measures on a sustainable basis. Paramilitary forces are helpful in the short term but they are no substitute for a provincially managed and accountable police force. Political expediency must end now.  *

Published in Daily Times, April 16^th 2018.