There has been a lot of discussion about the Asia Bibi case lately, and while it's been encouraging to see the number of prominent thinkers who are willing to publicly call for the repeal of the blasphemy laws, it's also somewhat depressing because I can't help but think that in a few weeks the entire issue will have blown over and nothing will have changed.
I was given something of a reality call, though, when I saw that Ambassador to the US Husain Haqqani posted on Twitter,
For those asking why blasphemy law is not being repealed, simple answer is there aren't enough votes for that in parliament
This is an important point to consider. No matter how much I or anyone else might be completely shocked that Zia's blasphemy laws remain on the books, we do live in a democracy and changing the laws requires popular support for a change. Even if an MNA himself or herself believes that the law should be overturned, their job is to represent the people in their district. And if the people in their district support the blasphemy laws, well, what lawmaker will go against their will?
Nadir Hassan's article for The Dawn Blog, Intolerance of the other, expands on this point.
At a time when the main criticism of the courts has been its embrace of judicial activism, we will end up sounding incoherent when faced with a case where the accusation of blasphemy, as defined by our laws, is credible. After all, if we expect judges to adhere strictly to the letter of the law, how can we criticise them for handing out severe punishments in such cases? By all means we should plead for Aasia Bibi's release, but let's not lose sight of the bigger battle: the repeal of all laws that discriminate on the basis of religion.
The true enemy in this fight is not the judiciary. Rather, an overwhelming majority of the population needs to be convinced that blasphemy laws are cruel and anachronistic. Britain, after all, had a blasphemy law - which made it a crime to speak against the Church of England - on the books until 2008, but the last time it was used was in 1922. When society understands that putting someone to death for their opinions and beliefs is fundamentally illiberal, the battle has already been won. In Pakistan, we haven't even begun to approach that level of enlightenment. Keep in mind that no one has been legally executed under the blasphemy laws in this country as the higher courts, particularly the Federal Shariat Court, have overturned all such death sentences. The real threat to the lives of those accused of blasphemy comes from enraged mobs, with the police playing the role of uninterested bystanders and the judgments of lower courts fuelling the anger.
Until these mobs, and those who silently support them, are silenced through force of argument, even the repeal of blasphemy laws will bring only marginal safety to minorities.
Before we can change the laws, we must change minds. The problem is not whether militants will increase attacks - they are already attacking! The problem is that in a democracy, there must be popular support for change. So do not ask what your MNA is doing to repeal the blasphemy law, ask yourself what you are doing to change the thinking of your neighbors who still support it!
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Since Hussain Haqqani assumed a role of ambassador to USA he is under sheer criticism of pro- Taliban forces. His critics never came up with solid evidences against him, rather than unknown kind of ricocheting in the circles of Pro- Taliban and extremist forces strengthen by Media moguls. In fact this is sheer frustration of extremist elements. Hussain Haqqani was a trusted advisor of Mohterma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed and she reposed her confidence in Haqqani time and again.
Hussain Haqqani is no doubt a great asset for Pakistan; no one can deny the achievements of Hussain Haqqani.
1) It was the Hussain Haqqani who played a vital role in bridging trust deficit between USA and Pakistan. It was his efforts that Pakistan received a great trench of international funds including Kerry Lugar bill. Why Hussain Haqqani strived for Kerry Lugar bill? Do any one think it was for personal gains, not at all, it was for the betterment of country and to save Pakistan from becoming a bankrupt country.
2) It was the Hussain Haqqani who appealed world to help Pakistan generously in meeting flood recovery challenge – WASHINGTON, Oct 30 (APP):
“Pakistan’s ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani has urged the international community to generously assist his country’s monumental reconstruction task in the wake of these summers’ catastrophic floods. He was speaking at a fund-raiser organized by the Pakistan Students Association of the George Washington University. Ambassador Haqqani highlighted the extensive damage done to Pakistan’s infrastructure by the unprecedented flooding that inundated one fifth of the country’s territory. He made a presentation to the audience showing satellite imagery of Pakistan before and after the flooding. Town after town were shown swamped by floodwater. I want to ask why Hussain Haqqani urged the international community to assist Pakistan. Do you think he had some hidden agenda for this call? Indeed it was his love for the people of Pakistan and this country.
3) In a recent episode Hussain Haqqani played a vital role in pursuing USA to pass F-16 jet fighters to Pakistan. This issue was long pending and even previous government failed to convince USA but it was the acumen and skills of Hussain Haqqani that USA without any objection passed jet fighters to Pakistan. Surely it was the issue of Pakistan’s sovereignty not of Hussain Haqqani’s personal interests.
4)
HOUSTON (Texas): Pakistan offers tremendous opportunities for American investors in energy sector and foreign companies can greatly benefit from the business-friendly policies geared towards meeting the country’s fast-growing energy requirements, Islamabad’s envoy to the United States Hussain Haqqani said. Ambassador Hussain Haqqani told participants of a conference focusing on utilization of Thar coal energy potential that the country holds out vast business prospects in power generation.
Read more: http://pakistan247.blogspot.com/2010/11/haqqani-encourages-us-investment-for.html#ixzz16i8zgUO2
Why Hussain Haqqani is encouraging USA to invest Thar Coal energy project? Is he going to receive any share in this project? Indeed his aim is to stabilize Pakistan and shove off country from recent energy crisis.
5)
HOUSTON (Texas):
Hussain Haqqani advised international community not to get dissuaded by negative media reports about the situation in Pakistan as these tend to be mostly exaggerated. Additionally, the cost of doing business in Pakistan compares favorably with its peers in the region.Foreign investment in Pakistan will create job opportunities and deny recruits to extremist outfits, Haqqani said.
Read more: http://pakistan247.blogspot.com/2010/11/haqqani-encourages-us-investment-for.html#ixzz16i9q283e
Why Hussain Haqqani is interested in urging world community to invest Pakistan? What benefits he is going to extract from foreign investment? Indeed for the prosperity of people of Pakistan and to strengthen its fragile economy. He wants a prosperous, strong and sovereign Pakistan.
Hussain Haqqani is more patriotic that these so called criticizers. They just hate Haqqani because he always presented a secular and liberal image of Pakistan. Indeed every patriotic Pakistani wants a Pakistan free from terrorism, extremism and fundamentalism. This is the very agenda of Hussain Haqqani and his love for this country is no more questionable. I invite critics of Hussain Haqqani to come up with solid evidences not by mere idiotic accusations.
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