Daily Times

Since its creation in 1947, Pakistan has, gradually, choked in the vise-like grip of reactionary Islam. Society embraced irrationalism, traditionalism, and dogmatism, and abandoned tolerance and pluralism. Hate politics along sectarian lines increased manifold. It also marked the beginning of two negative and highly destructive processes: one was the erosion of the moral basis of the state of Pakistan, and the other was the transformation of Islam into an exclusively political doctrine. As a result, no state in recent times has faced greater adversity and volatility from terrorism and obscurantism. Religious extremism has been responsible for the deplorable violence that has resulted in a heavy toll of human lives in past decades, and the same continues unabated.

It was a surprise, therefore, to see some potential signs of state pushback against religious forces. First, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif pledged to change the law on honour killings. ‘Family honour’ is held responsible for the killing of hundreds of women in Pakistan every year, with the killers walking free due to the absence of tougher laws. Second, the political leadership stuck its neck out by passing and signing the Women Protection Bill in Punjab. This law prohibits torture of wives and mandates punishment for offenders. Third, the state executed Mumtaz Qadri, the self-confessed murderer of the former governor of Punjab, Salmaan Taseer. Mr Taseer was an outspoken critic of the misuse of Pakistan’s blasphemy law and supported liberal reforms.

Importantly, these events took place in Punjab, the heartland of Pakistani religious nationalism and a hotbed of extremism in the country. Moreover, the centre-right Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government, long thought to play footsie with the religious right, initiated these decisions. It is too early to view these events as a strategic change in direction away from the continuous encroachment of religion into politics. One has good reason to remain sceptical due to ceaseless clamour heard from many quarters for more religious-based restrictions, and a truly Islamic welfare State in Pakistan.

Unsurprisingly, there was the predictable anger and the hurling of empty threats from leaders of the religious right on the decisions of the democratically elected government. Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that although the religious parties were not in a position to form the government, they could definitely derail it over Qadri’s execution and the Women’s Protection Bill. Fazl said that the government should introduce legislation under which a person who committed blasphemy against the Holy Prophet (pbuh) be punished automatically, and people might not have to take law in their hands. The JUI-F chief said that the Women Protection Act passed by the Punjab Assembly was against the constitution, law and Islamic teachings. “We reject all such laws and will continue to play our role to protect the Shariah as such laws are usually introduced to fulfill the foreign agenda,” he said. Fazl also said that he would not let the country become secular. He said that a meeting of religious elements would be called soon to discuss religious seminaries protection and the Women Protection Act to devise future line of action. Clearly Pakistan, contrary to the desire of its founder, Mohammad Ali Jinnah has been unable to free itself from the undesirable element of radical clergy. The bankruptcy of Pakistani religious thought is evident if we compare Fazl’s utterances to what Pope Francis said recently to his mostly Muslim audience in Africa: “Together, we must say no to hatred, to revenge and to violence, particularly that violence which is perpetrated in the name of a religion or of God himself.”

Because of state apathy, poor governance and rising violence, foreign investment in Pakistan has virtually dried up in the last decade. No country or society can stay economically viable, let alone competitive, by relying on external loans and aid. Foreign direct investors, just like domestic investors, want assurance of political stability, knowledge that the rule of law prevails – so that there will be long-term stability of rules and procedures – and freedom from corruption.

Thus far, reactionary forces largely unchecked have made profound inroads in society, and the state has shown little or no resolve to fight back. The Pakistani state urgently needs to recover lost ground ceded to extremists for economic and political progress. Unless a more moderate and progressive interpretation of Islam gains serious traction in Pakistan, the military effort against terrorists seems to be for naught. Society must revert to a respectful, merciful and inclusive interpretation of Islam. At minimum, the following steps have to be considered to put the country back on track to peace and security: 1) the repeal or amendment of cruel, oppressive and dangerous laws affecting the country’s religious minorities and the populace at large 2) state neutrality in matters of religion, the protection of the freedom of thought and conscience of all individuals and 3) a counter-narrative to the narrow, literalist interpretations of Islam in society at large and 4) a recognition of the supremacy of the elected parliament in lawmaking.

The writer can be reached at shgcci@gmail.com