Sanity must prevail

JUI-F Chief Maulana Samiul Haq has been martyred at his residence in Safari-1 Bahria Town, Rawalpindi which is a great tragedy, as he was not only a religious leader in Pakistan but revered throughout the world. He always upheld the Constitution because he was instrumental in passing the Objectives Resolution, and made contribution to the Constitution of Pakistan. Indeed he was great patriot. He was helping to bring peace in Afghanistan. Last month, an Afghan delegation had met Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (S) chief Maulana Samiul Haq, asking him to play a role in restoring peace in the war-torn country by bringing the Taliban back to the dialogue table. The delegation, comprising Ashraf Ghani government representatives and diplomats stationed in Pakistan, had called on Haq at Darul Uloom Haqqania in Nowshera district, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, wherein they sought his support, read a statement issued by the seminary.
It is unfortunate that several parts of the country witnessed severe disruption and incidents of violence as enraged protesters blocked roads and forced markets to shut down in protest on Aasia Bibi’s acquittal by the Supreme Court. Protesters resorted to arson and vandalism in many parts of the country and damaged private and public property in various incidents. Scores of cars, motor cycles and buses and vans were torched at Motorway near Sheikhpura. All private and public educational institutions remained closed across major cities; attendance at offices and other commercial enterprises also remained thin. The All-Pakistan Private Schools Federation (APPSF) has announced the closure of all private schools across the country on Saturday.
People have the right to discuss and even criticize the court’s verdict, but the protest should be peaceful. However, it appears that leasers who gave a call for protest have no control over their followers, and it is mob mentality that rules roost.
The fact remains that the constitution of Pakistan is Islamic, and the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) verdict in the Asia Bibi case is in accordance with the constitution. The reaction to the SCP decision by a small segment of the society is not the opinion of the nation as a whole. The language used against SC judges, the Army Chief and others is lamentable, and is unbecoming of a true Muslim society. Those who are inciting the people against judges, Army and state institutions are doing a disservice to the country. Pakistan is the only country in the Islamic world that has vociferously raised the issue of blasphemous caricatures in Netherland and this is truly one of the reasons to halt the contest. Pakistan is endeavoring to get onto the route to prosperity and any protest in the country will cause damage to the fragile national economy.
There cannot be a law of jungle and mob rule in the country and strict action must be taken against those who are inciting others for protests. As tensions in the country persist, Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Khan Afridi has held talks with ulema and religious scholars in an attempt to seek a peaceful end to the protests. Afridi during his meeting with various ulema has sought their assistance in dealing with the protestors. The scholars have acknowledged and expressed agreement with the fact that a court decision is in accordance with the law and Constitution. As sit-ins and demonstrations in almost all major cities of the country entered third day following Aasia Bibi acquittal, clerics urged protesting people to remain peaceful and avoid taking the law in their hands. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court of Pakistan had acquitted Aasia Bibi accused of blasphemy in 2010 and was sentenced to death.