Menace of Terrorism

The PM very rightly said on the floor of the house that if Pakistan is to be made  a safe country to live in for its every daughter then we have to fight the menace of terrorism which is essentially an outcome of a typical mindset of the extremists. While Islam preaches acquisition of knowledge for all – men and women, these extremists blow up the very founts of knowledge – the schools and kill the children studying in them. And, ironically, they do it all in the name of Islam.  Some Islam of their some special brand !!  Has such Islam not crept into us ever since we started the process of Islamisation of Pakistan? Objectives Resolution was the first seed planted in 1949 which was not only nurtured to bloom by Maulvi Zia but also given the Kalashnikov to it to enforce it upon all. All sorts of religious extremist organizations mushroomed  overnight calling each other Kafir and killing them at will. The menace is increasing by each day compelli ng the saner elements to think of ways and means of controlling it.  The only way of bottling the genii back is to spread the awareness among the extremists as to what true Islam is and that what they are doing is entirely un Islamic.  In other words forceful fatwas  and edicts by the highest religious authorities against such wanton killing and destruction.   All means of propagation – electronic and print media, posters, banners, leaflets dropped by air etc.  of these fatwas be made use of to spread the word to the remotest corner of the country. Along with it not only a general amnesty be announced for all those who want to surrender but also given employment, vocational training and free education to open their minds. At the same time, we should adopt the policy of keeping the religion separate from the state. The religion must be strictly a private affair and nothing to do with the state.  A strict departmental vigil be kept on all fanatics in the services and administration and  no one with extreme views be allowed to rise to the higher position where he/she could influence their juniors.  If need be such diehards be weeded out during the early stage of their carrier.

Of course I am asking for a pluralistic society where all could live in peace and harmony and everyone’s rights are protected.  And, for God’s sake do not misconstrue  and  label me for spreading la diniyat along with which liberalism and fuhashi are so fondly appended by our rightists.

Col. Riaz Jafri (Retd)