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| India-Pakistan |
| Right-wing threat |
| 2017-11-13 |
| [DAWN] The protest near Islamabad by elements of the right wing, led by Tehrik-e-Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah Pakistain and the Sunni Tehrik ...formed in Karachi in 1992 under by Muhammad Saleem Qadri. It quickly fell to trading fisticuffs and assassinations with the MQM and the Sipah-e-Sahaba, with at least a half dozen of its major leaders rubbed out. Sunni Tehreek arose to become the primary opposition to the Deobandi Binori Mosque, headed by Nizamuddin Shamzai, who was eventually bumped off by person or persons unknown. ST's current leadership has heavily criticized the Deobandi Jihadi leaders, accusing them of being sponsored by Indian Intelligence agencies as well as involvement in terrorist activities... , has taken an ugly turn, with a potential for worse. During their Friday sermon, holy mans from the religious groups holding the demonstration threatened to attack the families of federal ministers if the government did not accede to their demands. It is several days since the protest began, sparked ostensibly by the controversy surrounding the amendment to the Elections Act, 2017, an amendment swiftly reversed by parliament. Among other demands, the protesters want Law Minister Zahid Hamid to resign for what they believe is his culpability in the short-lived change to the election law; Asiya Bibi executed; cases against religious leaders dismissed; and holy mans removed from the Fourth Schedule. The Punjab 1.) Little Orphan Annie's bodyguard 2.) A province of Pakistain ruled by one of the Sharif brothers 3.) A province of India. It is majority (60 percent) Sikh and Hindoo (37 percent), which means it has relatively few Moslem riots.... government is acting as an interlocutor between the protesters and the federal government. As always, those suffering the most from the sit-in at Faizabad interchange, the main artery linking Islamabad and Rawalpindi, are ordinary citizens trying to go about their daily lives. There is never a time quite like the run-up to elections for groups with political aspirations to flex their muscles, and expand their space. September’s by-election in NA-120 saw the TLY-backed candidate win enough votes to come in third place behind the PML-N and PTI. It was an electoral endorsement that has further emboldened an organization that derives its inspiration from the man who murdered Salmaan Taseer ‐ it is hardly surprising that violence, whether in the name of religion or otherwise, is its stock-in-trade. For the holy mans to threaten the families of those against whom they are directing their ire is a form of blackmail that is particularly detestable and should be denounced in the strongest terms. The democratic right to protest is not a licence to engage in hate speech or incite violence. Moreover, the protesters’ demands are such that no government could possibly acquiesce to them; their very unreasonableness shows them for what they are, a naked attempt to browbeat authorities. Although the government has been right to show restraint thus far, there must be a more concerted and skillful effort to engage with the protesters so that the increasing tension can dissipate. Any violence will work to the advantage of the right wing, and they know it. Those taking part in the sit-in are spoiling for a fight. The government must not give in to them. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #2 Why stop at a hundred parts, newc? |
| Posted by: Glenmore 2017-11-13 09:41 |
| #1 Or, let me break Pakistan into a hundred parts? |
| Posted by: newc 2017-11-13 01:31 |