Credit: Express Tribune:
Report on Ahmedis reveals victimisation and harassment. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE
LAHORE: The Urdu press and media are contributing to the hate campaign against Ahmedis by publishing “baseless stories,” the annual report, Persecution of Ahmedis in Pakistan during the year 2011 said. During 2011 more than 1,173 baseless stories against Ahmedis were published, the report added.
Categories: Asia, Human Rights, Pakistan
It is a truth the Urdu Media using the prime language of the country is not doing justice by pointing out atrocities against Ahmadiyya Community. English media specially ET does a lot to expose anti Ahmadiyya activities. Just take the example of this article. I can bet no Urdu newspaper or TV will ever have the courage to publish the contents of this report. While the fact remains report in question contains 100% truth. Why it is so could be various reasons. Urdu news papers mainly have vested interests. Some purely belong to specific ideologies while some work for specific political party interest.Could be the fear of Mullah or extremists. Though this fear is equally shared by English writers also. Another reason could be the implied policy of executive and political elite of the country, be in the centre or at provincial basis. I myself keep on reading regularly leading Urdu newspapers. Very seldom one finds any article, news or opinion about the atrocities committed against Ahamdiyya Community. Even very renowned and learned column writers/anchors dare not to touch this subject merely on the plea later not to be labelled as Ahmadi/Qadiani. Another reason is the presence of anti Ahmadiyya laws. Sword of fear is always hanging for the interpretation of these laws if some one is trying to write some thing about Ahamdiyya community. There can be more reasons also. Now when we compare the scenario with other countries of the world the situation of Ahmadies look extremely pathetic in Pakistan. To my knowledge the community is present approximately in 200 countries of the world and any atrocity committed to the community is spread around the globe with in very short time as community is very effectively organised also. So why not to consider positively and to make the life easy for each Ahmadi in Pakistan. As for beliefs are concerned let the religious scholars of both sides to discuss these in peaceful manner.
Now the human rights commission bill has got unanimous approval in Pakistan, I wonder if Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry and his so called independent judiciary will look into plight of Ahmadis who have been victims of discrimination, intolerance and violence of Mullahs and their associates for four decades incited by anti-Ahmadi legislation and blasphemy laws. Ahmadis have been singled out isolated and marginalised in every sphere of their lives simply because they differ in interpretation of their beliefs with the Sunni majority. The provisions in the constitution of Pakistan are cosmetic and no one respects even to the extent the Prime Minister of Pakistan openly ridicules the Judiciary and the Apex Court verdicts. Unless right thinking Pakistanis do something otherwise the unity and strength of the nation will be divided into households leading to destruction disrespect of the nation in international perspective. I therefore urge all right thinking Pakistanis to come out of their prejudices and unite the nation as required by the Founder Hazrat Quaid e Azam “unity, discipline and faith”. Let the vernacular press and other electronic media come to senses. Hope to see positive response.