What measures are necessary to counter violent extremism and religious intolerance in Pakistan? And what role should the youth be assigned in this campaign, which has a bearing on our future?
I had an occasion to dwell on these issues on Friday in a session of the 18th Youth Parliament Pakistan, a flagship initiative of the Pakistan Institute of Legislative Development And Transparency (PILDAT). In attendance were about 70 young persons selected from different regions of the country.
I have personally been very interested in interacting with the youth and encouraging them to speak their mind. Being a journalist, I want to remain in touch with contemporary realities. There is always so much talk about the youth bulge and the contribution made by the youth in many sectors, particularly in the digital sphere.
Because I am so old and have such little understanding of technology, I sometimes see these encounters as a learning experience. At the same time, however, I do not fail to impress upon them the importance of reading fiction and poetry. This, I concede, has become my obsession. And the sad part of it is that the young almost invariably break my heart in this context. In fact, I have come to believe that the dearth of reading habits in Pakistan is the real measure of our social and economic deprivations.
Anyhow, the session I conducted in Karachi was titled: ‘How can we promote cultural and intellectual tolerance in youth to help counter extremism in Pakistan?’ It was, at times, a rather intense discussion. One theme that emerged was, in a sense, the detrimental impact of the narratives that are peddled by the rulers. References were made to the state of our higher education and the environment that prevails on our campuses.
There is no intention to just report a conversation that lasted for 90 minutes. But there was ample focus on how various manifestations of arts and culture (including reading books, of course) would be an effective antidote to the dark passions of extremism and intolerance.
Now, taking a diversion from the PILDAT session I have mentioned, I would like to share some thoughts about how our successive rulers have failed in their foremost responsibility of establishing peace and social harmony in a society that is torn apart by obscurantism and bigotry. Often, when a crisis gets out of hand, the authorities submit to the reactionary elements.
Where else would a deputy commissioner, the official arm of the power of the state, supervise a formal apology of a college teacher of biology that he would never teach Charles Darwin’s scientific theory of evolution and would always consider women as inferior to men? Consider also the cases of public lynching after an accusation of blasphemy is made, without the intervention of any legal process.
One of the many questions that intrigue one is whether Pakistani society, in terms of its character and values, has meaningfully changed after that unspeakable massacre of schoolchildren at Peshawar’s Army School on December 16, 2014.
One point I generally raise in my conversations with the youth is about the efforts that we can make as individuals, in our personal capacity, to try to become more human in our public behaviour. It would amount to cultivating qualities such as empathy, compassion, critical thinking and a sense of responsibility towards others, including strangers. We should actively engage with life with the awareness of our own emotions and our vulnerabilities.
By the way, the lunar new year began on Wednesday. It is celebrated in China and some other countries. This is the year of the snake, one of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. For many, the zodiac shapes not only new year traditions but also major life decisions. Essentially secular, the Lunar New Year is the biggest festival of the year and continues for many days.
There is a reason why I have mentioned the Chinese New Year and how it brings communities together in a friendly and joyous atmosphere. Actually, I am reminded of a festival that we used to celebrate many years ago and that festival was very much an expression of the kind of love and amity that subverts extremism and intolerance.
Yes, I am talking about Basant – the equivalent of the lunar new year for Lahore and, to a lesser extent, a few other cities of Punjab. I find it difficult to explain to the young what Basant used to be. I am old enough to cherish those memories of the festival of kites. Basant, also secular in its observance, meant the advent of spring. It had its traditions, ranging from the dress they wore to the culinary delights that were served on rooftops. And that symphony of colour that was sketched by kites floating in the sky was the stuff that dreams are made of.
If I am being so lyrical about it, the excuse I have is that the death (murder?) of Basant fully represents the intolerance and extremism of our rulers and of our ruling ideas. But that is not all. What is happening now is even more incredible. The very idea seems bizarre.
On the face of it, Maryam Nawaz projects an enlightened and modern image of a chief minister. She may have a lot to her credit but she is willing to preside over the decision to make the making of kites and flying them a crime. This is topical because it was only on Tuesday last week that the Punjab Assembly imposed a complete ban on kite flying, with severe penalties for violation. You fly a kite and face three to five years in prison.
The argument is that ‘dangerous kite flying has caused the death of many motorcyclists across Punjab’. What the law does not say is that with all its power and authority, the administration cannot arrest those who make the killing string. Why would you blame them for not dealing with the extremists?
The writer is a senior journalist. He can be reached at: ghazi_salahuddinhotmail.com