“We expect to evolve a progressive democratic government in line with the Muslim belief in the equality of all men, and to work for international peace. As I have said many times before, Pakistan guarantees the just and equal treatment of all citizens, Muslim or non-Muslim, with freedom of worship, speech, press and assembly. The position of women is already equal in law to that of men. It may be expected that their participation in civic affairs and in the professions will increase”. – Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, August 25, 1947
In 1947 Pakistan started its journey with violence in which millions of people were killed, displaced, kidnapped or brutally wounded. The sacrifice made by countless Muslims to find an independent State to observe and practise their rights, beliefs and culture. The fortification of ‘Human Rights’ was the key factor in the making of Pakistan. But unfortunately, after the death of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah the behaviour and the activities of the Muslim League leadership proved their ignorance as the custodians of the rights of the people of Pakistan. Most of them were power seekers and only wanted to enjoy the rule. Millions of refugees particularly in Punjab were in miserable conditions but the political leadership like Mumtaz Daultana and Iftikhar Hussain Mamdot etc. had personal grudges and political rivalries and evidenced less concern with the contemporary state of human rights spectacles.
In Pakistan particularly, the privileged feudalistic political strata is responsible for the socio-political human rights violation, nepotism, domination, exploitation and domestic abhorrence in the society. These landlord classes are set apart and were nurtured by British Colonial sovereigns in India for political drives. Unfortunately, these about 40 feudal classes like Mazaris, Lagharis, Bhuttos, Nawabs, Gilanis, Jatois etc. are ruling Pakistan since 1947.
The misuse of blasphemy laws against minorities is a common practise. Since 1990, about 65 people have been killed in blasphemy related violence. Dozens of blasphemy cases have been registered against hundreds of innocents for personal gain
Balochistan covers 47 percent of Pakistan’s land, but in the Province tribal system and the tribal lords are strong and influential which is the major reason of its backwardness. Balochistan has around 80 tribes. The tribal lords are not willing to strengthen the common masses; more than 55 percent of the rural population is living below the poverty line. The infant mortality rate is 140 in 1000 which is the highest in South Asia. Balochistan has only 44 percent literacy even the ratio for girls’ schools has dropped by 70 percent. The elite classes are enjoying the privileges but the common masses particularly the people of the rural areas are deprived of their rights because of less awareness.
The rigid Jirga system is also a tool to exploit women rights in Pashtun society. Its worst example is the practise of the tradition of Vani, in which a young girl is forcibly married to an old man in compensation of a murder or any crime committed by her relative. In Balochistan, KP and Punjab every year, 10 to 20 girls between the ages of 5 to 15 fall prey to this cruel practice.
Practices like Karo-kari in Sindh affect the status of women’s rights. Karo is the man and kari is the woman, who are punished if they have been found to be involved in together. According to the reports more than 90 percent of karo-kari cases in Sindh are fabricated and erroneous. Also, 1/5 honour killings of the world are being committed in the society of Pakistan.
Illiteracy and ignorance of their rights is the main reason for the prevailing violation of human rights in the Country. Police, law enforcement agencies, particularly Pakistan’s judicial system are mainly responsible for the human rights dilemmas. Judicial and political hierarchies have failed to provide human rights awareness, quick justice and socio-political rights to the masses. 1.88 million Cases are undecided in courts, while only in Supreme Court around 40,000 cases are pending. The percentage of the crimes and law and order, was elevated when people decide to get justice and rights by themselves.
Recently, the reaction of fundamentalists on SC’s verdict on Asia Bibi case reflects the level of extremism in the Country. The extremists blocked the country to influence the Supreme Court of Pakistan to change the decision. Furthermore, the misuse of blasphemy laws against minorities is a common practise. Since 1990, about 65 people have been killed in blasphemy related violence. Dozens of the blasphemy cases have been registered against hundreds of innocents for personal gain.
Minorities are living in a status of distress and anguish. In 2014, Dr Rumesh Kumar a Hindu parliamentarian of PML-N revealed (now in PTI) in the parliament that every year 5000 Hindus shift from Pakistan to India. Hundreds of infants are dying every year in Thar but the Sindh’s ‘Wadera’ government fails to provide them basic facilities like water, food etc. The Ahmadia community is surviving in a state of hate, discrimination and persecution. This fundamentalist society is not ready to accept Ahmadis in the socio-political and economic fabric of Pakistan. Moreover, the legislation against Ahmadis is adding to their miseries.
Pakistan’s social fabric is sewn with discrimination, hate and injustice etc. social, political and religious bifurcations crafting the human right dogmas. The political elites are not willing to ensure equal rights since it will curb their sovereignty as well. Only human rights development in Pakistan can demolish the recent political statuesque.
The writer can be reached at [email protected]
Published in Daily Times, November 21st 2018.