THE killing of Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) workers at the hands of Punjab police has shocked the people. It is probably one of the worst incidents in recent Pakistani history because women were shot and killed in broad daylight in the capital of Punjab.

The timing of the incident is significant. It happened just when the army had launched the operation against terrorists in North Waziristan.

PAT or Minhajul Quran has taken a stance that actually is closer to what the Pakistani establishment wants. Dr Tahirul Qadri has emerged in the last couple of years with a soft narrative based on a Sufi interpretation of Islam, which suits the establishment in its war against militant interpretation of faith.

Therefore Dr Qadri becomes a kind of ally of the establishment in pursuit of its short-term politico-strategic objectives. He runs an organised web of religious seminaries across the country and holds a cult-like status with no real political stakes.

Political forces with significant political shares in terms of votes have always been suspicious of PAT’s nexus with the military establishment. Dr Qadri’s agitation through the media must have caused concerns.

The ruling party in Pakistan and Punjab has had difficult times finding a peaceful solution through talks with the Taliban owing to their differences with the military.

This troubled relationship between civil and military authorities manifests itself in many ways and has far reaching consequences for the country.

After 67 years of independence, Pakistan is yet to decide on some core politico-ideological questions. Let us hope that some lessons are learnt from the Model Town incident.

Atif Mahmood Majoka
Melbourne, Australia

Published in Dawn, June 30th, 2014