THE Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government’s decision to build and restore 109 worship places and residential areas of minority communities in the province is commendable. The details, scale and estimated cost of the project, Rs513m, indicate that officials concerned have done their homework and are not shooting from the hip. However, considering how easy it is in this country to whip up extremist sentiments, especially against members of the minority communities, and the influence of religious and far-right groups on society, the KP government has set itself an ambitious target. A number of recent incidents have demonstrated that it takes only a few mischief-makers to vitiate communal harmony. The burning of a temple in Karak, KP, and the desecration of another in Bhong, Punjab, are recent examples of this phenomenon.

The project earmarks the highest number of sites — 19 — in Peshawar. A sum of Rs20m each has been set aside for the construction of Biba Singh Gurdwara and the Saint Michael Catholic Church in Peshawar Cantt, while Rs9m has been allocated for the rehabilitation of Durga Mandir. Sizable funds have also been reserved for conservation projects in Lower Chitral valley which will benefit the Kalash community that is often at the receiving end of the worst of our compatriots’ xenophobic tendencies. While all this sounds promising, community engagement and approval is key for the successful completion of these projects. Given that minorities in the country perpetually live in a state of fear and uncertainty, this is a task easier said than done. Unless the authorities make a conscious and consistent effort to rein in extremist elements and punish those involved in attacks on members of minority communities and their places of worship, the sense of insecurity they have to contend with will not be adequately addressed. Moreover, the authorities must also ensure adequate security arrangements for these sites. The religious lobby may frown upon the project and present specious arguments against it. One hopes the KP government remains steadfast in its cause.

Published in Dawn, January 3rd, 2022