The end of the Qadri episode

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Editorial
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The government handled it well

 

There was no justification for countrywide protests against Mumtaz Qadri’s execution. Whatever his motives were, he had committed a murder which is punishable with death under the law. What is more, he had publicly owned it and took pride in the act. Qadri was provided full opportunity to defend himself from the lowest court to the highest. He was executed after he had exhausted all avenues of defence. No civilised society allows lawbreakers to go scot-free as this would lead to anarchy. Even CII chief Muhammad Khan Shirani conceded that despite being driven by religious sentiments, Qadri’s act was illegal because he had taken the law into his own hands.

It came as no surprise, however, when there were demos against the execution in Karachi, Lahore, Pindi-Islamabad and a number of smaller towns. The protests however did not attract large crowds and protesters did not show a willingness to take on the security personnel manning the cordons on Monday. It goes to the government’s credit that while remaining firm it acted with restraint. Most rallies on Monday therefore dispersed peacefully. The way the administration reached an understanding with the electronic media regarding a judicious display of reports connected with protests also helped to keep the situation under control. The government, however, failed to provide security to media persons who were attacked both on Monday and Tuesday.

The reaction to Qadri’s execution indicates the extent of the spread of the extremist thinking in Pakistani society. To start with, he was defended in the courts by two former judges of Lahore High Court. Religious parties in the Milli Yakjehti Council (MYC) issued statements in his support. Government lawyers initially showed reluctance to prosecute Qadri as they were not sure of protection from police. The fact that the law and order situation remained under control after the execution however indicates that the establishment is still in a position to stem the tide of extremism provided it is prepared to take the bull by the horns.

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198 COMMENTS

  1. Religious extremism is the source of many problems in Pakistan… the government needs to take the national narrative away from the radical mullahs who are polluting the minds of citizens with their hate filled fanatic views…

    • But that’s just the point these were not the radical extremist Wahhabis these were normal Pakistanis who were supporting Mumtaz Qadri stop being ignorant you will die no one will remember you but Mumtaz Qadri will now live forever

  2. All those prominent protestors lawyers and persons identified should be prosecuted under Anti Terror law and punished. If this is ignored it will be seen as weakness. Qadri accepted this assignment with criminal intent. If he was so convinced he could have asked to be relieved of this job. Instead he found it the oppertunity to commit murder when he was told to protect the Governor. This is itself a blasphemous act an violation of his oath.

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