As time passes, we as a nation are becoming increasingly insensitive to the murder of fellow Pakistanis. Although the majority of people are against persecution, they are helpless to do much about it. The situation is worsening day by day, and the killers are free to move safely and kill whomever they want. On top of that, our judicial system has failed to bring them to justice. The terrorists of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP) and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are bailed out and they continue their ruthless butchering of fellow Muslims.
In the year 2012 alone, 1,450 Shiite Muslims have been targeted in Pakistan. These numbers, although alarmingly high, hardly make it into primetime news these days. We are so used to hearing about the killings that we simply sigh, say, “What a pity,” and move on. Perhaps we tweet about the issue or like a Facebook status here and there to condemn the killing, but then we are quick to go back to normal life.
The killing of a young fellow Shahzeb Khan in Karachi is another example of atrocities being committed in Pakistan and one that is, without a doubt, a gross act of inhumanity. This case, however, is lingering on people’s consciences at both grassroots and upper level. Youth groups have organised peaceful protests demanding a fair probe into the case. The Chief Justice’s special attention to the case can of course be seen in his suo motu notice of the murder. I understand the necessity of this suo motu; indeed, the culprits should be prosecuted and given their due punishment in a timely and efficient manner.
However, there is a startling difference between the calls for justice for this case and the lack of comparable attention given to the cases of mass atrocity. The Chief Justice’s insensitivity towards the Shia genocide in Pakistan is uncanny and his remarks over the persecution of Shias leave many questions open. The terrorists of neither the LeJ nor SSP have been punished in the past seven years: either they are bailed out, or they escape from jail. The failure of the judicial system in Pakistan helps terrorists like those belonging to the TTP and SSP flourish and operate freely, making them monsters that are becoming increasingly menacing internal threats.
On the other hand, our intelligence agencies have failed to counter the insurgency that is resulting in the massive loss of invaluable lives our own brave soldiers. They are abducted and slaughtered brutally. Ignoring such an onslaught for the sake of an uncertain outcome, our agencies are resultantly positioning Pakistan to succumb to the malignancy of the TTP and its offspring. These beasts, thirsty for human blood, will invent new methods to screen the educated Shia youth and slaughter and dump their bodies on the roads.
Would the Honourable Chief Justice please take suo motu notice against the killers of young Fiyaz Hossain in Peshawar who was called for a fake job interview and killed just because he was a Shiite? Would the Chief Justice take suo motu notice against the killers of Mehzar’s father? Would the Chief Justice take suo motu notice against those who have blatantly called killings of fellow Muslims a jihad? Would the Chief Justice take suo motu notice against those who publicly claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people? Would the Chief Justice take suo motu notice against the killers of Abdur Rehman killed in Jinnah Hospital while getting treatment? How about taking suo motu notice for the twin Qadri brothers in Karachi? These are a few of the questions that are raised in the minds of common Pakistanis who are persecuted for their faith. Would even a single terrorist be punished while the Chief Justice remains in his office? And if he cannot take notice of the Shia massacre, then we have a right to know what stops him from doing it?
The writer is a scholar on Health Policy and Management from Johns Hopkins University and Oklahoma University. He tweets at @ZaeemZia