Out of tune

With the beginning of the UN week of the UN world -world harmony, the call of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for dialogue, understanding, mutual respect and cooperation between religious communities is a timely reminder of how much remains to be done for Promote community tolerance in the country.

“The innovative policy of interreligious harmony and the strategy of religious tolerance are now in motion, directing hate discourse in its nucleus, safeguarding each temple, church and sanctuary,” he said, while admitting that the challenges remained. And these challenges are considerable.

It is no secret that constitutional guarantees of freedom for religious groups to practice their faith and their protection for the life and freedom of all citizens sound gaps for many of Pakistan’s religious minorities, which include Hindus, Christians, SIJS and Ahmadis, among others, forming, forming only 4pc of the population. There are in society peripheries, with many at risk of being attacked by divisive fans with schedules and disruptive actions.

For centuries, coexistence between different groups of faith was barely considered new. But in current times, thanks to the space assigned to radical elements, belonging to a sect or minority group can be a bit omen of serious consequences.

It can be said that the situation charged communally from Pakistan is hardly an unplanned phenomenon; with different rulers at different times exploiting religion to promote their own agendas. This has once again persecuted the country in the form of militancy not only of religious inspiration but also vigilantism in society, the misuse of blasphemy laws, forced conversions, the desecration of religious places, etc.

These activities often date back to sinister control purposes and personal score resolution. It is not surprising that episodes such as the torches of Christian neighborhoods and the justice of the mafia for a accused blasphemy are not uncommon. So that even marginal healing begins, the responsibility process must be launched for those who throw intolerance and encourage the violence of the pulpit. Harmony requires prosecuting and punishing hate traffickers, and formulating inclusive policies with measures to reduce poisonous narratives.

Pakistan, as an economic backwater, needs social cohesion for development and political agency. The State should adopt a more aggressive approach to reverse Zealotry’s tide and establish a platform so that leaders of different religions break the social alley.

Posted in Dawn, February 2, 2025



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