The state’s consistent retreat against religious extremists has emboldened them to persecute anyone they so desire. Be it security personnel or polio workers, schools or mosques, the Shiite Hazara community or Christians, everything and everyone is a target. The latest additions to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s long list of enemies are the peaceful Kalash tribe and Ismaili Muslims of the scenic Chitral valley. The TTP’s declaration of ‘jihad’ against these two minority groups comes as a surprise to only those who have still not understood the ideology that drives these militants. Both minority groups have been living in peace in the same region for decades. Their unique culture has been celebrated and even advertised by the country in order to attract tourists from all over the world. Unfortunately, the same uniqueness has now become a cause of concern for them, and the rest of us.
To expect the TTP to appreciate diversity is utter foolishness. Live and let live doesn’t bode well with them. Conform or die is the kind of stuff that really gets them going. What did the members of the Kalash or Ismaili communities exactly do to invite death threats? Nothing. It is not what they do, or don’t do, but who they are. In this case, their identity is their curse. But, they can save themselves from bombs and bullets that have been promised to them, if they simply do what is required of them. They can abandon their faith and lifestyle, and convert to the religion of those who have presented them with this ‘choice’. The gravest error we can make at this point is to think that the entire nation doesn’t face the same choice. We do. When they bomb cinemas, schools and kill polio workers, they are conveying what is expected of us. Don’t go to the movies, don’t educate the girls, and don’t vaccinate your children.
So, when the military leadership announces ceasefire, and Imran Khan and co lecture us on the need for peace through dialogue, one must ask them: Peace at what cost? Is the ceasefire for the sake of the Army or the common people? The Kalash and the Ismailis are our people. The ceasefire or the ‘peace process’ is doing nothing for them, or the rest of us. We have been left at the mercy of trigger-happy maniacs who operate with impunity, as our defenders and leaders watch with folded arms. Anyone who thinks that the militants will voluntarily stop short of establishing their ideal homogenous society is delusional. If the state has decided to abandon its people, it’s only a matter of time before the people abandon the state. Wake up, Prime Minister. It’s raining blood, and eventually, everyone will drown.
There is no denying of the fact that Imran has taken a wrong position. But it is also a fact that he is not alone on the wrong side of the truth. If Imran is wrong, how come Nawaz Sharif is right? This is where bias comes into play. If one wants to condemn a wrong stance, it should be done without prejudice.
^ we need some scapegoat...for rightists behind every terrorism is a hidden hand, and for leftists all problems in Pakistan are due to Imran Khan...Pakistan was a paradise before him, and will become one after him...we should pray that Imran Khan becomes irrelevant in Pakistani politics so that PPP, ANP and MQM can steer the country of this mess...
Yesterday Imran pointed out the same thing in an interview with Dr Shahid Masood that if operation was the only way out, why PPP and ANP did not carry it out in their 5-year term?
I will again say that I do not support Imran’s over-emphasis on talks, but he has some very valid questions that are not echoed as much as criticism against him.
If operation was so inevitable and vital, why Nawaz Sharif decided to go for dialogue? PTI is a second-strength opposition party in the NA and it is not binding on the PM to entertain opposition on such vital issues. And if talks is his decision, then why Imran is bashed more than the PM who actually took the decision? And then what about the mandate which APC had delivered collectively? Why it must be Imran for every single thing happening in the country?
In fact PTI is third in National Assembly after PMLN and PPP. The army can do selective operations if they want to but they wont achieve anything. They will have to operate against all militant groups, and give up their dreams of ruling the region through proxies. Unless they change their mindset we can bash Imran Khan to provide some reprieve to the military.
**Forcibly converting people un-Islamic, says Imran
**
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan on Friday said forcibly converting people to Islam was a violation of Quran and Sunnah, DawnNews reported.
He was speaking in relation to the recent pronouncement of the Pakistani Taliban against Ismailis and the Kalash, a polytheistic people living in the picturesque Chitral Valley in northern Pakistan.
In a 50-minute long video released on Feb 2 on the TTP media wing’s website, the Pakistani Taliban announced an “armed struggle” against the Kalash and Ismaili Muslims. The narrator warned the Kalash, who are thought to number only 3,500, to convert to Islam or face death.
Speaking on the subject today, Khan said harassing and threatening ordinary people and forcing them to convert was in violation of Islamic principles, adding that PTI had the utmost respect for all sections of the public and acknowledged their contributions in the country’s progress.
He has no courage to condemn the Murtadeen Taliban , He is not standing clear with the nation . He is trying to sell us to extremests . I am sorry to see you people still supporting this . This is some war between human and animals . Ik is supporting these animals , He is much confused so one day he goes to right and next day to left . PM, ex-army chief misquoted by Imran, Zafarul Haq tells SenateThe PPP and ANP senators also demanded of the government to come out with a clear stance on the PTI chief’s statement.
