Daily Times

Sir: History has witnessed the cruelty of Pakistan when doctor Abdus Salam, the first ever Pakistani Nobel Prize winner was disowned by Pakistan on the basis of his beliefs. This was not the only time that an individual belonging from a different community or religion became a victim of extremism.

Nergis Mavalvala a Pakistani American astrophysicist who played an important role in the first observation of gravitational waves was disowned as well because of her religion. Recently Atif Mian, the first Pakistani to make among world’s top 25 economists, was to be appoint as a member of Pakistan Economic Advisory Council but unfortunately he was asked to step down even before the decision was taken due to the same reason, for his beliefs.

One name is Asia Bibi who whatsoever hasn’t achieved something compared to the others but like others she has been a victim of radicalization. Asia Bibi was convicted of blasphemy in 2009. She was accused of blasphemy after an argument with her co-workers while harvesting Berries. She always maintained her innocence, but has spent most of the past 8 years in solitary confinement. However, she was acquitted on 31st October because of not enough evidence that the court could accuse her guilty. Hence she was given the benefit of doubt.

After this verdict, Islamic group protested in streets of Pakistan. Blocking roads and damaging infrastructure. The Supreme Court decision sparked protests all over the country. Government was unable to handle the pressure and to satisfy the extremist group had to change the decision. On 2nd November a review petition was filed against the Supreme Court decision.

After this capitulation I can say that Pakistan has made a habit of losing all its war. Bottom-line realization of who we really are at the mercy of is that there are no external threats; everything is internal like cancer, eating Pakistan from the inside.

FARDEEN JAWED

Karachi

Published in Daily Times, November  12^th 2018.