There’s need to do it super-fast
Jinnah’s speech of August 11, 1947 printed by most dailies was a censored version released. Resultantly, to date there remains confusion whether Jinnah wanted Pakistan for only Muslims or for all religions. Besides, there are quite a few controversial issues that have deepened the lines of division within Pakistan. On ground there is flagrant violation of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan 1973. The chapter of fundamental rights that awards equal rights to its ‘citizens’ is often flouted. Groups decide who classifies as a citizen of Pakistan and who does not. Hatred, anger, ostracism is directed towards those deemed not to be ‘citizens’ of Pakistan.
Let’s establish first, the meaning of a citizen. Black’s Law Dictionary defines it as, “One who under the Constitution and laws of United States, or of any particular state, is the member of the political community, owing allegiance and being entitled to the enjoyment of full civil rights…” (Centennial Edition 1891-1991; Pg 244)
Nowhere does it award a superior status to one group of people over the other based on religion, gender, ethnicity or any other basis. The Objective Resolution, made a substantive part of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan 1973 states, “Wherein shall be guaranteed fundamental rights including equality of status, of opportunity and before the law, social, economic and political justice, and freedom of thought, expression, belief, faith, worship, and association, subject to law and public morality..”
If all are equal at all levels, where did we go wrong? So horribly wrong? Dr Haroon Ullah, member of US Secretary of State John Kerry’s policy planning staff and author of a recently published treatise, “Vying for Allah’s Vote; Understanding Islamic Parties, Political Violence, and Extremism in Pakistan” talks about the driving force that guides political extremism in Pakistan. He talks, among others, of the death of Salman Taseer – killed for supporting minorities’ rights and those of women in Pakistan – and reactions to his murder. He talks of structures of the religious parties and the conflict within the defining parameters of the rightist groups
A mention, well understood and accepted within Pakistan but need to be better understood by those in the west,
“Any use of the term ‘‘sharia’’ must come with some caveats. The fact that Islamist parties share roughly similar conceptions of the role that sharia should play in governance should not obscure the significant differences in their political programs, their different interpretations of what sharia entails, or the contested nature of the term ‘sharia’ itself.” (Pg 11) He continues to share, “Differences regarding what sharia entails exactly, and who has the right to define and enforce it, help explain the surprising fact that Islamic parties that occupy much the same space on the continuum are as likely to disagree with one another as they are with groups to their right or left.”
This is the key to Pakistan’s dilemma of defining herself. Bull’s eye! Very interestingly, the Supreme Court of Pakistan has referred a plea to Islamabad High Court a plea filed to enforce sharia in the country. The court has been allowed 3 months to adjudicate upon the petition.
In an earlier op-ed I had written, “The desire for peaceful coexistence must aim at cultivating, first and foremost, a tolerance and understanding towards these differences by all. Failure to do so must result in differences, acts of terrorism and ultimately war. The fact that we did not ‘choose’ our beliefs in which we were born, we did not ‘choose’ the sects within which we were born makes religious intolerance completely unnecessary. Different religions and different sects have lived together all over the world and in Pakistan – why the growing intolerance?”
The constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan 1973 by Justice Muhammad Munir states, “Wrongs practiced in the name of religion are not protected by the Constitution providing for the free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship… Everything which may be equally an exercise of religion is not required to be tolerated and the right to exercise religious freedom ceases where it overlaps and transgresses the rights of others.” (Volume 1 pg 369)
The Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan 1973 does not differentiate between followers of different religions and sects by offering different degrees of fundamental rights to its citizens.
Article 25 under the Constitution lay out, Equality of citizens: 1) All citizens are equal before law and are entitled to equal protection of law; 2) There shall be no discrimination on the basis of sex; 3) Nothing in this Article shall prevent the State from making any special provision for the protection of women and children.
It is extremely sad when non-state actors decide to take the decision in their hands to: a) make a determination as to who is, and who is not a citizen, and b) to then inflict hatred and brutality upon those deemed to be non-citizens.
In any civilized society, Equality is one of the three pillars the structure of the society balances itself upon. The other two are Liberty and Justice. If we refuse equality across the board to all citizens, we are automatically denying to them; liberty and justice! In an extremely interesting paper by Thomas Christiano dealing with the subject of equality and democracy, “Equal consideration of interests means that advancing the interests of one person is as important as advancing the interests of any other person… It is an elementary requirement of justice that individuals ought to be treated equally.” Pakistan needs to ensure none of its citizens are victimized or reduced to the level of second class citizens!
But then there comes evidence of interfaith respect in Pakistan, which restores confidence in the country. Sikandar Chandio guards the Hindu Temple at Johi. “Chandio’s Muslim family ‘protects’ the only temple in Johi, a town in which no Hindu family resides. A Hindu man handed over the charge of the temple to his grandfather, Jamaluddin,” says the local newspaper. (February 8, 2014) Report states “I was born in this temple, so were my children. We all are watchmen of this building.” Pakistan needs more Sikandar Chandios!
E.A. Bucchianeri in ‘Brushstrokes of a Gadfly’ recounts an enchanting dialogue between Socrates and Plato.
“Socrates: Have you noticed on our journey how often the citizens of this new land remind each other it is a free country?
Plato: I have, and think it odd they do this.
Socrates: How so, Plato?
Plato: It is like reminding a baker he is a baker, or a sculptor he is a sculptor.
Socrates: You mean to say if someone is convinced of their trade, they have no need to be reminded.
Plato: That is correct.
Socrates: I agree. If these citizens were convinced of their freedom, they would not need reminders.”
Pakistan needs to redefine itself – super-fast.
http://news-reporter-pk.blogspot.com/2014/03/Onli…
ایسی کوئی بات سوچ بھی نہیں سکتی جس سے بھارت کو مسئلہ ہو، وینا ملک
Link here>> http://goo.gl/69WOD5
I can not imagine such a thing,, Veena Malik blames ex-boyfriend
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انڈیا بے کار ہے کی ٹویٹ نے ٹویٹر پر بھارتیوں کو بھڑکا دیا –
وینا نے یہ ٹویٹ جرمن باشندے کے ساتھ بھارتی رکشہ ڈرائیوروں کی زیادتی کی خبروں پر تبصرہ کرتے ہوئے کی
one day Veena Malik will be Prime Minister of India.Lolxx Vdo Link here>> http://goo.gl/Gjzqhc
Veena initiates significant outrage in Tweets after ‘India sucks’ tweet.
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او میرے اللہ کس منہ سے اللہ سے ہم رحمت مانگتے ہیں ؟ آج نہیں تو کل کوئی اس بندے کو مار ڈالے گا اور کہیں گے خودکشی کر لی یا ایکسیڈنٹ ہوگیا۔
ویڈیو دیکھیں Vdo Link here>> http://goo.gl/YQ9BcG
hero associated with pakistan iqrar ul hassan.
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Indian Builder Kept Three Small Sisters in His Custody And Raped Them For 18 Months –
Vdo Link here>> http://goo.gl/54h8Iu
Real Face of India
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بھارتی جمہوریت کا کمال …. پولیس کی حفاظت میں بھی گینگ ریپ
’روشن بھارت ‘کی تاریک کہانی پڑھنے کے لئے کلک کریں
Link here>> http://goo.gl/ghNw9Q
India: Gang Rape Survivor In India Gang Raped Again While In Police Protection –
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برطانوی خاتون نےکتے سے ’شادی‘ کرلی
کیا انسان اس حد تک بھی گر سکتا ہے؟
تفصیلات کے لئے کلک کریں
Link here>> http://goo.gl/0s6Ivx
A British woman has married her dog, as she found all traits she looked for in a life partner, in her pet.
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دو لڑکیوں کی آپس میں شدید ترین لڑائی . وجہ جاننے کے لیے ویڈیو دیکھیں
Link here>> http://bit.ly/1gdNAc3
Two Girls Fighting for their Boyfriend – Lolzz Must Watch –
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ہالی ووڈ فلم نوح کیخلاف مسلم اور عیسائی متحد
Link here>> http://goo.gl/mfspwp
Christians join Muslims in condemning Russell Crowe's new £75million blockbuster Noah for its portrayal of Biblical figure –
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Watch Live Cricket "ICC" T20 World Cup
Link here>> http://goo.gl/YlZhtY
Watch Live Cricket T20 World Cup Streaming
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مغربی میڈیا کا عقل کو دنگ کر دینے والے انکشاف کو پڑھنے کے لئے کلک کریں
Link here>> http://goo.gl/XctyHF
Malaysia AirLines incident, Pakistan also Under Investigation
This sentence, says it all
"The fact that we did not ‘choose’ our beliefs in which we were born, we did not ‘choose’ the sects within which we were born makes religious intolerance completely unnecessary."
A splendid oped .
Why confusion on if Jinnah created Pakistan for Muslims only, or for all faiths.
Touching the core of the matter:
No equality=No liberty & No justice!
Excellent. Yasmeen Ali, The world, not just Pakistan, needs more Sikandar Chandios
The boil has to burst,& burst it will. Only then will relief come in the form of a change in discourse or narrative.
The intent and the expressions of justice and fairplay pretty much conform to what's obtaining elsewhere. Practice?
Well written. Justice Munir Ahmed's words are truly heartening. But what about Ahmediyas? Would they be included?
Would describe myself as an optimist. Things change, and slowly. We hope for a better tomorrow. May you as well.
Excellent Artical as usual .@yasmeen_9 Pakistan needs to redefine itself – super-fast.
Let's hope citizens like you help shape the discourse in Pakistan to make it truly democratic and secular. Go on!
Classic Indeed! Equity, Liberty & Justice; the ingredients that creates balance in society.
Ms. Yasmeen,
You are a good writer. The subjects you write about are interesting. But alas, they are too lengthy, outdated and too scholastic for young people. I doubt if anybody has the time and patience to reread what is already widely known by the Pakistani intelligentia, especially the older generation. The younger generation don't read such articles, if at all they care read these days.
In my humble opinion, you should try to capture the attention of the youth of Pakistan who are staved of modern scientific knowledge and the progress the Western world is making. Leave theology and its ever contentiuous theories to the clerics who never agree upon anything based on reason.
Pakistan today is in reverse gear, going back in time. This slide needs to be stopped. And writers like you can play a significant role in doing that. Write about scientific progress human beings are making in the field of Astronomy for example. Let them know about the infiniteness of Space. About how man is reaching for the stars. About how scientists have sent space ships to the edge of the Universe. And how insignificant and irrevelent is our petty quarrels and prejudices. Allah is not interested in our quarrels, or in our battles over how many wives a man should keep.
Allah has always been interested in our quarrels hence the need to bring us under a certain discipline which later on took the shape of religions. Has science changed the behavior of people? I think not. Being a Trekkie will not solve our problems. If all that money squandered on the quest for new planets to ruin them ultimately is the intention then let's stick to our own. I bet if oil was discovered on any one of these planets the East India Company won't be too far behind in claiming it for itself. If religion is our Achilles heel then usurpation of resources is a bane of the west. We all have our demons to fight. Let's resolve these problems first. But I find it strange that while we keep fighting in the name of religion and capitalism there is a group of people who just sits back and enjoys the chaos, making hay while the sun shines on them. We need to concentrate more on those rather than on these distractions.
Ms. Yasmeen,Madam, I wholeheartedly believe in what you have written.
67 years gone by. Wr are still unable to define ourselves?
Ms Ali your Op-Ed is a thorough, balanced and an intelligent assessment defining citizenship and what it entails.
An oped worth the read and serious reflection for all sincere citizens!
Good article btw who is now controlling Pak, govt or non state actors?
Worth reading.
A great article.
Good article.
Case of Sikandar Chandio reminds me that a most sacred place of Christianity in Jerusalem is traditionally being guarded by a Muslim family, since centuries. Christian pilgrims borrow keys of the building from the family for performing their religious rituals and then return the keys to the family at the end of the day.
PS: After your article, hope and pray Sikandar Chandio doesn't meet the fate of Salman Taseer……!
Yasmeen raises core issues but will anyone do something? Must read to clear up some of the mess.
Well-written piece that raises some good questions; I do like the way you brushed on the topic of being born into beliefs.
beautiful article
wish you keep highlighting political and economic issues of country
b rgrds
Thank you Jinnahdid not want theocratic state .He was an excellent example of a human being of the highest character and a determined statesman a noble jurist. Let us not insult his endeavour or for that matter Allama Iqbal Ito this stupid argument of a Islamiqst state to a Muslim independent state. Best wishes Nasim Siddiqui
Sent from my iPad
Thanks for this post; Yasmeen has important things to say and says them well!
what an outstanding piece of clear ,focused writing
may you continue your efforts to shine your laser like
light into our hearts.
[ ALAS, our hearts are filled with the darkness of ignorance]
A great read
But unfortunately Mullahs have taken over Quaid's Pakistan.
Lucid and logical piece. Unfortunately, it is unlikely to make any impact on those who must undertake the redefining because the only language they understand is that of dollars and 'dandas'. SA
Very well Articulated.
Thanks and regards,
Shams
Well-thought out analysis!
Appreciate your nuanced and principled analyses in this and other pieces, in general 🙂
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