IT has been more than 70 years since we struggled our way out of the shackles of the British Raj and the Hindu extremism. The Raj had had enough and granted independence to both the Muslims and the Hindus. It is one of the most celebrated events in the lives of the followers of both the religions in the subcontinent.

Even before independence, the practice of the two religions was the same as it was after independence. However, constantly growing rigidity and extremism in terms of ideas and sects have worsened the equation that earlier existed between the two communities.

As a continuation of that downward spiral, today, in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the tussle involves Muslims versus Muslims and state versus non-state actors. The diaspora of religious sentiments has caused chaos in recent days, forcing normal life to a grinding halt across the country, especially in the Punjab province.

The clash between the authorities and the protesters was not over ideas, but actions. The protesters did whatever they did in the name of religion, but they did not seem to be following the teachings of that very religion in certain ways.

My point is that even after decades of freedom, why are we still entangled in the labyrinth of religious atrocities? Why have we not progressed as an ideology of a better nation? When will this stagnation of minds end?

Fizza Bano
Rawalpindi

(2)

THE recent ban on the right-wing political party is a welcome development, specifically at a time when Pakistan is trying to get off the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) list. While being found deficient in compliance with the 27-point action plan given to Pakistan by the watchdog, the recent ban on the political party would also serve as a step in the right direction as it will improve compliance with the three remaining points that Pakistan has to meet to satisfy the FATF.

As for blasphemy and rising Islamophobia, there are multiple platforms to raise the issues in the West.

Fawad Ali
Swabi

(3)

THE federal government’s decision to ban the right-wing party is a bold and correct decision. We can only hope that the outfit will not be allowed to launch a comeback either by lifting the ban on some pretext or giving it a backdoor entry to the arena under some other nomenclature.

Some questions, however, beg an answer. Who helped create this Frankenstein’s monster, and how could such a violent organisation get itself registered with the Election Commission of Pakistan?

Akbar Jan Marwat
Islamabad

(4)

THIS is with reference to the editorial ‘Ban is no answer’ (April 16). It is no secret that the right-wing entity had quite often paralysed the country, causing misery to the citizens. What it did recently by blocking main roads and major thoroughfares across the country, including Karachi, was surely unforgivable. I remained stuck on Sharea Faisal for hours that evening. The sight of helpless women, children and men stranded on the arterial road is beyond description. I found it strange that the editorial concerned argued against banning the entity concerned.

Yes, the party is registered with the Election Commission of Pakistan, but does that give it some sort of carte blanche for wreaking havoc on the country? Any party, regardless of its ideological orientation, that gets involved in violence must be shown the door.

We should not create a fissure in the collective thinking of the masses with opinions that are not consistent with the facts on the ground.

Syed Adeel Ahmed
Karachi

Published in Dawn, April 23rd, 2021