IN the shadow of the Peshawar school massacre, the air of festivity that prevails at this time of year — both in connection with Christmas and the Quaid’s birth anniversary — is conspicuously absent.

For although, for a very long time now, each year in Pakistan has borne witness to much spilling of innocent blood at the hands of violent extremists, this was one depredation too many, the cost it exacted too monstrous, and its timing too recent, to make the display of anything resembling good cheer seem appropriate.

Christmas celebrations yesterday were therefore low-key, almost sombre. Members of the Christian community had, in the immediate aftermath of the attack, announced their intention to tone down the day’s commemorations. A number of them — several dressed as Santa Claus — had taken out a rally in Karachi to express solidarity with the rest of the country, holding placards saying “united we stand in grief and sorrow”.

Take a look: Christmas celebrations across Pakistan

The question is, how far does the majority stand united with them in their time of grief and sorrow? After the bombing of the All Saints Church in Peshawar in September 2013, there was undoubtedly an outpouring of sympathy for the Christian community, but it was all too brief.

Three weeks later, Eid was celebrated across Pakistan with ‘customary fervour’. Newspapers reported that transporters fleeced commuters by hiking fares, buyers at cattle markets were made to pay illegal exit fees, and outlawed outfits also collected animal hides.

In short, all was well with the world. There were no special prayers for the community, no indication that the recent loss of around 80 precious lives was remembered.

This year, among other incidents, has seen the horrific lynching of a Christian couple in Punjab on allegations of blasphemy, more evidence that laws pertaining to it disproportionately impact the minorities. Jinnah’s Pakistan was to have been a very different place. If one thing is clear after so many years of bloodletting, it is that no Pakistani — whether Christian, Hindu or Sikh — should feel marginalised for his faith.

Published in Dawn, December 26th, 2014