Pakistan, like always, entered the New Year soaked in blood. The spate of killings around the country have increased by the day. What were supposedly vengeful killings by a group of heretic murderers and political assassinations has now evolved into something more sinister: sectarian killings. And let us please, in all due fairness and without bias, acknowledge that a systematic target killing of Pakistani Shias is underway.
To call this dangerous trend as a “genocide” will not be unfair. Initially, I tried to keep myself away from such terms which seem very divisive and myopic in nature. However, statistics show otherwise. Why should we even discuss numbers and figures of the past when just recently about 100 Hazaras Shias were butchered in broad daylight in Quetta? The incident is a horrendous reminder of the fact that Pakistan faces multi-pronged threats internally, as acknowledged by the changes in Pakistan Army’s Green Book.
The Shias of Pakistan enjoy as much civil, social, political and economic rights as do their Sunni counterparts or those of the other sects. Since long, a group of militants who have powerful political backing have been at the fore of spreading sectarian strife and labeling Shias as “kafir” (infidel), claiming they are “liable to be killed”. This fascist, un-Islamic mindset full of vice is the perfect example of how morbid mentality calls the shots in Pakistan, with law enforcement agencies apparently unable to do anything in order to prevent this hateful terrorism. In short, one could label such thugs as “takfiris”, those who label other Muslims besides their own as kafir.
The relatives of Hazara Shias victimized by terrorism in Quetta are absolutely just in their call to the Pakistan Army to make sure peace prevails. Their grievances and aggravations are justified. The unity they have shown with Pakistan, without losing hope in state machinery, is exemplary and worthy of respect. Even in critical times, the Shias of Pakistan, especially Hazaras as an ethnicity in particular, look up to Pakistan’s powerful military and especially the influential Army Chief General Kayani as a ray of hope. Amidst sheer disillusionment, they have not let their emotions be exploited by liberal extremists and certain media elite who are constantly trying to create a standoff between state and the followers of this sect.
Political agents have failed and shown extreme lack of responsibility and sense. The same goes for bureaucracy. Hazaras of Quetta have not buried their loved ones and are sitting outside in the icy cold weather under God’s open skies pleading help from General Kayani. As citizens of this state, they have all the right to invoke the one man who they look up to without expecting a disappointing response.
It is my sincere request as a Pakistani of Sunni adherence to General Kayani: Please realize that the power which rests with you while in office is a responsibility from God. Exercise and utilize it well, while there is still time. Do not compel the Pakistani Shias to let go of the last straw they have been holding on to since long. You are due to retire this year, it would be a welcome sign if you pick up this case and personally visit the Hazara Shias in Quetta. You must visit them. Comfort them, pledge to their leaders and representatives that those who are spreading hatred in our midst whether on foreign orders or self-fomented bigotry will be dealt with in a befitting manner.
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