Editorial

Dr. Busharat Elahi Jamil – Assistant Editor

The contemporary religious extremism in Pakistan is a result of fabricated religious practices and extra ordinary religious biasedness. In the recent scenario so-called democratic regimes are somehow responsible of the horrifying radicalization. Unfortunately the democracy in Pakistan is tainted; which is given by the authoritarian regimes of the past.

Islamist and political stratums have mutual socio-political interests. Religious assemblages are power seekers and the political classes are using the street power of the Mullahs. They are not willing to offer prayers behind each other but in political gains they are together and have no apprehensions. In simple meanings they are compromising over the religious ethos to live in mainstream.

Tragically, in Pakistan religious extremism is state supported. Pakistan’s flag and particularly the Constitution are responsible for the social bifurcation. Flag and constitution are dividing the nation into majority and minority. People are not Pakistani they are Muslims and non-Muslims. According to the Constitution of 1973 no non-Muslim can become the Head of the State of Head of the Govt. in Pakistan, while since 1947 not a single Pakistani non-Muslim is found guilty ever in any anti-state activities.

Since 1950s political and religious nobilities are using Islam for own purposes and protecting each other’s wellbeing. The anti-Pakistan forces like JUI, JI, Ihrars etc. are now pro-Pakistan. The false interpretation and understanding of religious believes by the illiterate clerics benefiting the uncertainty and insecurity which is enough to weaken the integration and unity in the country.

The misuse of the Blasphemy laws particularly against the opponents is a common practise. By using the pledge of these laws the Muslims are killings each other’s, non-Muslim and other tiny communities in the Country. In the misuse of these laws radicalized classes and law enforcement authorities are equally responsible. Still state is completely failed to contain the ill use of blasphemy laws.

According to the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), under the sections 295-B and 298-C (blasphemy laws) more than 1850 people are accused and only in 2020 this number was around 200 in them Muslims were around150. The other affected communities are Ahmadis, Christians and Hindus.

In Pakistan ignorant people usually consider blasphemy laws a shelter to implement their own interpretation of Islamic laws. In this radicalise version of Islam they take laws in their hands. This is the responsibility of religious clerics and political elite to provide a soft platform to the common people for the true interpretation of the Islamic teachings because Islamic actually is a religion of peace, equality and brotherhood. Unity and peace in contemporary Pakistan is the need of the time.