President Zardari,
No time to exchange pleasantries. I write to you due to some terrible chaos taking place in the country – this time it is not because of the floods or suicide attacks. This time it’s because your supporter, party member and colleague Governor Salman Taseer was killed this week and you were no where to be seen (again!). Is everything okay – should we be (further) worried?
The tragic incident has led almost all of us who know how to write, to write – which is commendable because the blasphemy law does need to be spoken about, however, I feel that you too need to be spoken about. So before people start claiming ridiculous things (such as spiritual healers telling you to stay near the sea shore this month), I thought I should request you to speak out in your defense.
Sources state that due to security reasons you were advised not to attend the funeral ceremony – but a man who has braved so much danger and so many obstacles in the path to presidency is not scared that easily – or is he? Who are these people advising you anyway? I don’t think they are doing much for your PR. This is the time when you could have shown solidarity with your people, with Taseer, with what he stood for and the loss the nation was feeling. Wasn’t it you who wanted a revision to this law? Or have you already retracted that statement after seeing Taseer’s fate? This is the time you could have tossed aside your paranoia and stood in the row next to Gilani and Malik and said a prayer – even if it was just for the cameras, you should have been there.
I’ve heard that you asked Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and your sister Faryal Talpur to attend the funeral ceremony on your behalf? If that’s true, I am a bit confused. I understand (thanks to Wikileaks) why you would ask your sister to represent you but Qaim Ali Shah? Seriously?
Salman Taseer died at the hands of extremists who believe it is okay to take the law in their own hands. Salman Taseer died because he was not paranoid and he was not a coward. Perhaps he too should have sat in his fortified castle, fearful of the crowds, clutching his throne and then, perhaps he would have still been alive today – secure, just like yourself.
To top it off, the same person who said that the blasphemy law cannot be touched until he is in office, was the one seen offering statements of condolence and making press conferences. Babar Awan, who opposed everything Taseer said about this law, was the one speaking to the crowds, ensuring a thorough inquiry – do you really think anyone believes anything coming out of the government anymore? If you do, you really need to step out more often and see for yourself.
‘Some elements want to topple the government…’ is how you explain these tragedies. Sorry to bring this to your notice, but looking at the current dismay, almost everyone wants to topple the government. Minutes after Taseer was killed, some of your ministers started a monologue against evil extremists’ forces while the more dramatic ones took us down the ‘political conspiracy’ road. When there is no harmony and unison between the statements coming from PPP ministers, how can we even begin to imagine there can ever be religious harmony in Pakistan?
Shyema Sajjad is the Deputy Editor at Dawn.com
So, Mr. Zardari you have the time to attend Richard Holbrooke’s memorial in US but not enough time to attend the funeral of of your ardent supporter ex. governor Taseer. What is your problem ? When faced with disaster, you manage to disappear. The memory of devastating floods is still fresh in public’s mind.
I follow your blogs, well try to follow, almost regularly…they’re very good and i do post them to my blogs too sometimes. I feel now that we as a nation need to just ignore this president of ours, well unfortunate to say the least that he’s the president. he seems to be a spineless inhuman person, agian to say the least…
i believe we should move on, ahead of him. but our deepest problem is that we cannot just move on…someone has to stand tall on these inhuman creatures from top to the very bottom…
your writing does make a lot of people think but we need to act too…
we have gone deep down the wire, very deep down and it seems no way up and out but we have to not loose hope from Allah…
i sincerely hope something completely opposite happens in Pakistan, and soon…the misery needs to come to an end…but change also needs to happen!!
good luck with all your work!!!
Killing of Salman Taseer was indeed wrong & an act of terror. But should this turn Salman Taseer into a martyr & a hero ????? How about him being a part of the corrupt, incompetent & traitor PPP govt that is busy drilling the country down to ground. Yes it is true that Salman Taseer had the gutts but probably he never thought he would end up meeting his fate the way he did, but our sitting president is no doubt an incompetent leader.
Any ways it is a tough competition between the extremist and these corrupt politicians to see who destroys the country first.
God has created everything. God is the creator. Those who kill in the name of God or in the name of any religion are ignorants and sinners. Those who cheer and support the killers are lost and ignorant souls. We should all pray for these misguided souls and punish them according to laws.
I’m Not surprised that there are lot of supporters in pakistan. Thsi goes on to show the difference in how world and Pakistan defines terror act. Terror act like Taseer’s Killing is seen as act for Islam..
And I bet Quadir who is already a national Hero will be out of prison soon.
I think there is time for a Jihhad against this so caalled Jihadis who take laws in their hand and kills anyone who has rational or liberal thinking.
A sick nation led by a President who does not feel anyone’s pain except his own. In death Salman tasser has earned a place in the history of this nation. He will be remembered as the brave man who stood up to a law that is humanly wrong at all levels. While our President and his Prime Minister cower and give into these criminals.
Killing someone for speaking, even it offends people, is inhuman. Muslims in Pakistan are insulting minorities all the time. No one dares to implement these laws against them. When these people are not railing against the west, Christians, Jews, Hindus and Indians, they turn on Ahmadis, Shias and their own.
The world sees the double standards. We will remain the basket case of this world until we get rid of intolerance.
Man of courage this Salman Taseer; Rest in Peace with your eternal fame.
The blasphemy law was promulgated to avoid rioting, looting, mob justice, and lynching that resulted when someone was justly or unjustly blamed for blasphemy! Open and public blasphemy always results in rioting and this law effectively discourages those who want to create public unrest by openly passing blasphemous remark in media!
Efforts should be made for proper and correct enforcement of this law rather than to thoughtlessly talk about repealing it!
Very rightly said Phillip!
There is nothing more blasphemous than the balsphemy law. It is NOT based on the Quran and is a political tool to grab power. If ANYONE knows of references in the QURAN that this law is based on, please enlighten me. Please post those references in here so all of us can be enlightened. Otherwise, please admit that this law is blasphemous and those who support murder and persecution of others based on this law (which is NOT based on the Quran) are themselves murderers.
the only way we can turn our country around is to use our mosques as places to pray and not to corrupt the mind of our young and inocent kids,respect and be respected by other religions.hte first thing any religion teaches is to be a good person.we cant afford to put these jokers on tv.our people are poor to their gills.their exploitation by the political parties has to stop,religion and state is two different things,may be we need another Kamal atta turokklike in turkeyin1930s ,in turkey u cant discrimate people because of religion.
Marrvellous
Your said what the million Pakistani think but do not say.
I salute you.
It takes one misguided illiterate to bring down an entrepreneur, one who actually contributed to the economy. I’m so sorry mr. Taseer.
Salman Taseer stood tall in his efforts to voice against tyranny and injustices against minorities. He will be remembered as a martyr of equal rights and humanity. I am sure a vacuum has been left. All the same,this has galvanised the need to uproot religious extremism. One way, is to redefine blasphemy. Blasphemy is taken as an act which ridicules and belittles Prophet Mohammad saw. Thus, people including mullahs/extremists who are ruthlessly blemishing the beautiful face of our beloved Prophet of Islam, the prince of peace and a blessing for all the worlds ( rehmat ul Almeen) and not just rehmat ul musmemeen. They themselves are committing blasphemy to its real letter and spirit.
Let us start applying the same law of blasphemy on all mullahs and extremists and see how they respond. I am sure they will start imploring as well, to get rid of such law. As simple?!!! yes it is.
Rana. my dear Allah knows whether Salman Taseer was a martyr or not. Yes indeed he was a courageous man. He fought against the injustice no doubt about that in my mind.but at the same time did mr Taseer ever mention about the flaws in our justice system. was he scared of the contempt of court. or what ever he did was just for the peg of publicity. The blasphemy law is a divine law in a Islamic society to abolish this law would indeed incite masses. Ask any moderate Muslim. would they allow if some one is insulting their prophet. i don’t think so.my dear its a very delicate issue it should have been handle by Islamic scholars and in the Senate not out on streets. justice should be done to those who wants to protect the law and punish those who are abusing and misusing the law.
Mr M H Khan,
By all counts Salman Taseer wasn’t in pursuit of martyrdom. Yes, it can also be disputed that whether the term “Martyr” can be applied to him or not. But that is not the question here. The question is whether he deserved to be murdered for speaking in favour of a hapless lady. You’ve pointed out that Salman Taseer wasn’t vocal about mentioning other flaws in the judicial system. If his opposition to any such laws wasn’t reported with same level of severity in the press, is it his fault ? Last but not the least, Blasphemy isn’t a divine law, its man-made. If Salman sought pardon for the christian lady he wasn’t in anyway insulting the prophet (pbuh). Protection of minorities is a prerogative of the government and it cannot shy away from its duty. This murder is further going to alieanate the already marginalised minorities in Pakistan. Those who are supporting this mad act of Qadri are not covering themselves, Pakistan or Islam in Glory. They are just showing that we still live in stone age and not open to change and progress. We don’t have any Islamic scholar worthy of handling such sensitive issues. We still have to hear anything sensible coming from so called Islamic scholars that can help in betterment of nation and society. We would need more than Fatwas for peace to prevail in Pakistan.
Agree with f.
Excellent posting. Pity don’t know your name.
End the Cleric-ism (maulvi-ism) if you want peace and prosperity in Pakistan. Please clean up our mosques…
Please do not let Salman’ Taseer’s martyrdom go to waste. This is the right opportunity to revoke all the offensive laws like the Hudood Ordinances, the Blasphemy Laws. Use this opportunity for action not for moping or pitying your fate! please! May you be blessed and may you have success and blessings !
At his death bed Hazarat Omar instructed the Muslims to protect and defend the rights of the minorities, because our Prophet had instructed. To make this statement at the death bed shows its importance to the Muslims. It is time for the Muslim nation as a whole defend all the minorities. Allah hates oppression. Have you ever read that our Prophet execute the non-believers for disagreeing with him, for not accepting Islam. Were not the shabas at one time non-believers. They fought against Islam and the Prophet. Have we forgotten the love, compassion and sabr taught by our Prophet? Have we forgotten that we must love our neighbours, regardless of their belief? It is time to ponder within ourselves.
Mr. President, we follow your footsteps. Where were you last year when the country was devastated with flood?
Well said.
Thanks for to quote the Islamic scriptures.
May God bless the ignorant read and understand it.
The problem is that the sober are always considered weak and timid. But it is his or her quality to be fair and behave not to hurt the sentiments of others.
One who is scared to loose an argument will shout and thump the desk. Same traits are found in the extremists of every religion.May be Sikh or Hindu. When Indira Gandhi was killed by one who was supposed to protect her,the fundamental coreligionists of the killer behaved the same way as those of the Taseer’s killer.This is not to say that Indira Gandhi was good or bad. But it is sheer betrayal.
I think God will never forgive them for their crime of so called religious scholars.
Are you a professional journalist? You write very well.
All cowards are sitting in their bedrooms safe and sound. I bet no one can dare challenge the law.
I ask the writer to show some guts against any religious fanatic. Pls do not write only but act.
Sure. Maybe you should join us then don’t you think?
jj Actually, Salmaan Taseer, if he was so brave n ideologically enlightened, he should ve not remained in Ppp for so long but rather should have worked n trained himself with genuine left parties who believe in gros-roots problems n grass-root changes-n -movements, and are sincere to what they say n what they are all together for! Alas!!!!!
The Divide grows… English and Urdu speaking people’s world are vastly different. Mainstream scenario is what you see. When you are English educated you see the world in a different cold perspective. And Urdu is full of emotions and what not… Nobody in their right mind will stand up against these local language people. Look what happened to Salman Taseer… Their behaviour and culture are different from the English speakers… so their is no end to this war
I think my English is perfectly good and yet I totally condone Mr. Qadri’s actions against Mr. Taseer. So its not just a divide between English and Urdu. But your words are the most shameless public admission of colonial style apratheid perpetrated by the liberals that I have seen yet. The truth is that a handful of rich and so called ‘educated’ people have got their minds on cloud 9 and think everyone else as complete trash. Such elitism will inevitably lead to a French Revolution style mass uprising. And then those who give suggestions of ‘Eating cake if there is no flour’ will face ‘OFF WITH THEIR HEADS’ en masse. Read the writing on the wall and come down from your self-induced delusional high.
I totally disagree with you. You are just like as was Qadri and supporting a killer is tantamount to be partner in crime without knowing complete facts you are just supporting the henious crime because of your religious emotions but remember on the day of judgement emotions and ignorance would not help you
Lahori, you’re preaching to the choir.
What Karim said is exactly what you re-iterated. Being English speaking, you condemn Qadri. Exactly. Now a urdu speaker (to decipher the subtext – one who is not well educated) will support Qadri.
I think you misread what Karim wrote. This has got nothing to do with apartheid. He just used English speakers and local language speakers as a metaphor for literates and illeterates.
@Gowda:
Mr. Lahori “condones” NOT “condemns” Quadri. Read carefully.
Vive la révolution française !
Mr.Nalaik :
I think someone else said it too – oh, yes , Bhai Altaf of London
Excellent reply Lahori..who spoke well for all of us English speaking people who have both their eyes open!
I think this article unnecessarily criticizes zardari for not attending the funeral. It would have been a security nightmare to have zardari, gilani & malik all together in the prevailing security situation arising from a personal security killing a governor while the rest of security guards just watched and did nothing. And where was nawaz sharif ? Anyway, after reading all the comments here i feel all is not lost in pakistan and pakistan will emerge as a liberal tolerant nation.
Yes i agree with you about the criticisim about Mr. Zardari. And thanks for your good last line thought about Pakistan.
Mr.Deepak :
Less than 10 minutes helicopter ride from Lahore airport to governorhouse , Lahore, was no threat to Zardari’s safety. What are the pressing issues that he has quartered himself in Bilawal House, Karachi !!
Salman Taseer whether a good or a bad person. A moderate or a non moderate has reached his final destination as we all will one day Inshallah. He has reached the place where someone else will now decide his fate about the law he wanted to change.
Inshallah he will be awarded with the bounties of paradise because he laid his life for justice and humanity which are the two pillars of Islam
None of us have problems with divine justice! The issue here is that poor Salman was judged and “executed” by a rabid uneducated zealot while fundamental religious leaders cheered on. That too by a man sworn to protect him. A knife in the back seems quite the norm in Pakistan. How similar to the the stated objectives of the governments views on the Taliban and its actual actions!
If the President stands too scared to confront elements taking over the country, what chance would anyone else have? Honestly, when I read the news, I think who ever remains un-fundamentalized in this country needs to come out boldly and become visible, because otherwise its going to be too late. Safety can’t last long when its already precarious and any threats to it go unchallenged.
You have raised the right concern but why only in case of Salman’s murder you are asking for the presence of Zardari? What he and his team is doing on daily drone attacks? Are those killed on daily basis is not under his responsibility? Do they need another president to take care of them? Daily target killings in Karachi lost lives of thousands? Where was he and his full team when more than 100 pushtuns were killed in 2 days just to take revenge of the killing of 1 MPA.. whose killers were not pushtuns,, not the poor taxi drivers, coach drivers or the cobblers… Please note that the law should be equal for everyone and should be implemented,, people like Zardari and his full team are least bothered about the sufferings of poor masses, we all know how lavishly they are living in poor country,, did u forget the statement of US actress after attending Gilani dinner on her visit to review flood vicitms situation in Pakistan.. You are upset Shyema because a Secualar Governor is killed ,,, why you didnt write on the killings of thousand of poors killed in Drone attack,, where were you when two brothers were killed by a mob in Sialkot which includes police and elite force employees…Please put your struggle for the equal LAW for everyone in the country otherwise ,,, this story shall never end…
The author has written on sialkot and drone deaths too. You are also upset, which is why you are assuming that equal attention isn’t given to other issues.
I wish this blogger had studied the security protocol and then commented on President Zardari’s absence from the funeral.
Only the Prime minister or the President call come to such an event not both. Even in America you donot see the president or the vice president in public together . In in the white house or the capitol hill will you see them together.
Thank you for this clarification…we need people like you..who come with reason and reference..not just emotions.
regards
Well, to get rid of all evils is to make it a LAW that all Mullahs must have college degree, real not a fake one. We need to create more educational institutions preping kids to be more knowledgable and respect other religions. Lived in US and learn to appreciate tolrance and respect for everyone. People in Pkistan must stop and think really good before jumping to a decisions. We have to protect every Pakistani and that includes everyone regardless of there faith, religion and cast. We need to move on and teach our new generation that we do not believe in religious intolrance.
Dear Sajid,
I totally agree with you…education with tolerance and mutual respect is the only way forward. Teachers and mothers must be approached and educated to start with a child from day one. A child who faces abuse and humiliation will only come out with the same as we know.
As for others, it is very easy to criticize president Zardari and people in Pakistan have made a habit of it…I salute you President Zardari for your tolerance and continued smiles. I wish our people take time to see the other side and appreciate your consistent tolerance with all these exploiters..be it those from religious parties or from those with arms in hands…just because u wish to protect the system in a much larger benefit of people. People can’t see this because they are kept busy in petrol price and gas shortages issues by our mainstream media.
wishing peace and tolerance for all
farah
Strange that at this gruesome killing the head of the state could not attend his funeral, this gives sighn to world that progressive people are not considerd important by the govt. of Pakstan. It would have given strong signals to world, that Pakistan is on path of progress. After seeing the situation of Paksitan on BBC/CNN all over world, it is shame that the nation is not taking any notice what they are facing inside there country, still the people are buying crap of consiperecy theories.
Sad a good muslim is sacrificed and there is no demostration on streets, a poor women is being held and for asking for her killing a big majority was on streets, this is not a good sighn for world to build up respect and trust.
Bro!!! its just a little different over here in pakistan. We are very touchy about our prophet and being progressive in our country is considered as a heretic. The problem that we are facing is that none of the two opposite school of thoughts are keen to make an effort to understand each other. I am not saying that right wing people are wrong or liberals are wrong, i am only saying that both the sides should try to make an effort to stop thinking that the other side is absolutely nonsensical and try to develop a trust a both rightest and liberals have a lot to offer to make Pakistan a better place. No worries u can still think good about us at least this will help you to understand us better. adios
Bro..check your facts first…there is nothing like both side consideration…here one side want to suppress all human rights of others whose belief are slight different from their own..
Great job Shyema, liberals of Pakistan should start thinking logically. There is no way to talk about dialog with those who understand only one language that is the power language, weapon language, language of hate. How long we have to wait and give time to the dark and evil forces to control our destiny , our life. Peoples party is the only party which can stand against them with the small left inclined parties; but the tragedy is the compromising position of the leader who wants to sit with every anti-people party. If he will not change his style then the day is not far away when peoples of the party will stand up against him , looking for a bold, courageous and true leader to lead them against the dark forces of our society (mullah and touts of establishment).
Dream on AwamDost! You and I both know very well that nobody in the party will stand up aganist him. The “bold, courageous and true leader” that you hope will come – is already in place. But he will take over the crown when it is suitable (after competing his studies in the US ?) if by then there is still anything left in the country to run. By the way, the lot of the other political parties is also no better.
Thanks Ms Shyema.
I am an Indian citizen. Salaam to Salman Taseer ! to show courage of conviction.
I am regular reader of The Dawn. Daily I find lot of bloodshed in the land of the pure what was once part of my country. Still I feel so but only with an imaginary line between.Religions have killed more people than the atomic bombs. Let us do some thing together. Jinnah never thought of such a Pakistan. He was progressive and educated and Taseer too.
What I feel Pakistan lacks sincere leaders of the soil who would not rush to Bejing or Saudi Arabia or to Washington to discuss their domestic problems.
May God give Pakistan leaders who believe in themselves.
Kamaljit Singh
Waliakum Salaam
Thank you for your beautiful thoughts of love and hope.
May God bless all the people of the worlds, each and everyone.
And we always great each other with Peace.
Amin
Bravo for saying the right thing about this messed up law and people wanting to protect it. We can’t just start killing our minorities just cause they aren’t Muslims. Some of them are better people than Muslims in Pakistan. Salman Taseer stood for the majority of people of Pakistan. His death should make us realize that we need to be more vocal in expressing our liberal views and not the other way round.
Is Pakistan going to be safer under a military dictatorship? The civilian rulers are proving to be inefficient, and corrupt too. The public is suffering, the children are suffering, and there is so much violence and intolerance that it is going to choke Pakistan if other saner voices like yours, Sherry Rahman, etc are silenced by these fanatics. This is going to be really bad for Pakistan’s future.
Somebody should stand up and cleanse the system of intolerance, and educate (or, eliminate) all those who preach intolerance. Are there any (easy) solutions?