by Razi Rumi

On the run

Calling for secular reform in Pakistan’s politics earned me the enmity of the political Islamists, who tried to kill me

it was a November night in Islamabad, not too different from thatevening when the assassins came for me. The two nights are inseparable in my memory.

A little after midnight, I had walked out of the television studios after a current affairs live show. Each night my loquacious co-host, a good-humoured producer and his assistants would stand in the driveway for a milky cup of tea. The offices of Capital TV – a relatively liberal news channel set up in 2012 – were in a residential area of Pakistan’s capital. My foray into broadcast journalism came after years of writing and editing for a newspaper. The shift from earlier careers in government and international development was complete by now. I was in print, on the digital spaces, and finally on airwaves.

As we sipped tea, the show’s producer, a self-styled stand-up comedian, mimicked me and then blurted:

‘The show would get lots of rating tonight, Sir. You are too controversial now.’

‘Really?’ I asked; I had tried always to be moderate and cautious. ‘What did I say?’

‘Sir, you attack the Mullahs a bit too much, don’t spare the state agencies…’

‘Should I not?’

‘No, no, please do that, it’s good for the show’s rating. But remember,they will come after you.’

I laughed and walked out. As is the case in countries where labour is cheap, in Pakistan one has a professional driver. I reached the gate and there was no guard. Perhaps he had gone to make himself a cup of warm tea. Nor could I see my car. The boulevard, usually busy in the day, was silent. Across the road, there was a green belt visible in the pale streetlights. All one could hear was the sound of shrubs rustling in the night wind. I felt a little afraid.

What if there was someone hiding in the bushes waiting to attack me? Could it happen? After all, there are so many others – the fearless human‑rights advocate Asma Jahangir or the outspoken scientist Pervez Hoodbhoy – who hold anti-clergy views and criticise the abuse of religion. I chided myself like a rationalist against a fear that refused to go away. I went back and called (actually yelled at) the driver who had fallen asleep at home.

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