The Wrongdoers Must Meet Their Fate by Sajjad Shaukat
On October 31,
2018, violent protests and demonstrations led by the religious party Tehreek-e-Labbaik
Pakistan (TLP) broke out across the country in connection with the judgment of
the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) about the Asia Bibi blasphemy case.
In its verdict
the Supreme Court of Pakistan had also said: “No one could be allowed to defy
the name of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and be left unpunished, but there
is another aspect of the matter; sometimes, to fulfill nefarious designs the
law is misused by individuals leveling false allegations of blasphemy.”
It is notable
that the constitution of Pakistan is Islamic and SCP verdict in the Asia Bibi
case is in accordance with the constitution and has legal reasons for the
decision. The reaction to the SCP decision by a small segment of the society is
not the opinion of the nation as a whole.
But, during the
violent protests, the language used by the leaders of TLP, especially its head
Maulana Khadim Rizvi against SC judges, the army chief and others were
excruciating was not the character of a true Muslim society. By inciting the
people against judges; army and state institutions, TLP leaders were doing a
disservice to the country.
It is
mentionable that Pakistan has vociferously raised the issue of blasphemous
caricatures in Netherland and truly became one of the reasons to halt the
contest.
Pakistan is
endeavoring to get onto the route to prosperity and any protest in the country
will cause damage to the fragile national economy.
In this regard,
in his address to the nation Prime Minister Imran Khan said on October 31,
2018, that he had been compelled to communicate with the nation due to the
reaction given and language used by a small segment in response to the SC
verdict. Pakistan was founded in the name of Islam and the verdict given by the
SC is in accordance with the Constitution, which is in line with the teachings
of the Holy Quran and sunnah. He sharply criticised the protests which broke
out and continued for three consecutive days, saying people’s livelihood was
being harmed through the roadblocks and demonstrations.
The premier
added, “Which government can function when people say that kill the judges,
rebel against the army chief?...We are already facing such tough economic
hurdles...we are struggling continuously to uplift the people [and] to improve
the conditions of the underprivileged.”
In this respect,
Director General (DG) of Inter-Services
Public Relations (ISPR) Maj-Gen Asif Ghafoor on Novmber 2, 2018 distanced the
army from the controversy surrounding Asia Bibi’s acquittal, saying that the
decision had been taken by the courts and the army had nothing to do with it.
He stated,
“Unfortunately, the army is dragged into every matter…This is a legal matter
and it is sad that negative statements are being issued against the army.”
However, despite
the fact that the government or the army had no linkage with the Supreme Court
decision in relation to the Asia Bibi case, but, TLP actions were found to be
well orchestrated as if their strings were being pulled from somewhere else.
The narrative of TLP this time precisely matched with the well-known narrative
of PML (N) that is to malign army, censure judiciary and target the current government.
Hence, it is not far from possible that the cleric had fallen prey to the dirty
politics of the corrupt-convicted political leadership of the country, in
addition to his own destructive philosophy. What else an individual like Khadim
Rizvi deserves, if he openly starts to incite hatred among the general public
against the state, the government and its institutions and most seriously,
provoking mutiny amongst the armed forces against its leadership?
Therefore, the
apprehension of TLP leadership was taken very positively by the people from all
walks of life, as they understand that Maulana Rizvi was not only troubling the
common citizens through his call for agitation, but was also challenging the
writ of the state which was not tolerable.
Sedition and
treason imprint created by him by passing provocative remarks against the
government and the state institutions indicate that he is also a victim of an
outside influence in addition to his own activities. This portrays him as
becoming tool in the hands of anti-Pakistan forces which is even more
horrifying. These forces could be both local and global which can use segment
at the time and place of their choosing in future.
While, the
authority of the state is prime and no individual or organization can be
permitted to create disorder as was done by Rizvi and his associates. His
apprehension along with his accomplish is a step in the right direction
strictly according to the constitution of this country.
Perpetrators
must be awarded exemplary retributions through a legal course of action so that
such incidents are not repeated in future by this group or any other such
outfit in the country.
Besides, TLP
must be banned as a political party and its bank accounts and properties should
be seized. CNIC (National Identity Card) and passport of its leaders should
also be cancelled. The election commission may review its policy on allowing
such parties to contest election. Moreover, scrutiny of source of funding of
both TLP and Tehreek-i-Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah Pakistan (TLYRAP)
must be carried out and actions should be taken to stop
illegal /anti-state funding.
A crack down should
also be executed by the government to seize and punish those who incite hatred,
sedition and mutiny on the social media. In this connection, all the
twitter and other social media accounts and websites which are involved in such
activities should be blocked instantly through Pakistan Telecommunication
Authority (PTA). A policy paper may also be finalized after necessary
legislation by the parliament to cease such negative endeavors by individuals
and groups and be implemented through PTA and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA”.
Furthermore, all
the Madrassas operated by the TLP must be shut down and their students must be
absorbed in regular schools.
Though, everyone
has the right of freedom of speech but no one has the authority to spread
abhorrence and intolerance. More so, challenging the writ of the state by
organizing sit-ins and causing damage to life and property of general public is
totally unacceptable and unpardonable. The fate of such scamps should be
nothing, but total disbandment and retributions for their deeds.
