Subtle wind of change in Pakistan

It’s rightly said that you can ignore history at your own peril. It’s history which gives direction to future and strength to shape one’s destiny. Also, a nation faced with crisis in any form needs to look back into history to draw right lesson to march ahead. Incidentally, India and Pakistan are blessed with such historical richness, that they can find enough in common to strive for a shared destiny of peaceful coexistence.

Scores of people of Pakistan watching the parade of the border security forces on
their sides of the Wagah border amid chants of "Pakistan jhu le (live)"

It’s more than six decades now that the voice of sanity was silenced by an intolerant. Sadly, the world is becoming more intolerant each passing day. Hence, people across the world yearn to hear the voice of sanity embodied in Mahatma Gandhi more. Thus, Mahatma’s soothing voice which could heal wounds effortlessly still resonates across the world.

Besides, India and Pakistan are proud inheritors of Gandhi’s legacy. The Mahatma liberated the people living in India and Pakistan from various bondages during the course of his life. Besides, the Mahatma’s lessons for tolerance, inclusion and compassion for all are far more relevant for two nations now than earlier.

So, it was befitting for India and Pakistan to come together to commemorate Gandhi’s birth anniversary at the United Nations. More soothing was the fact that joint celebrations came just a day after India and Pakistan had sparred over Kashmir.

Further, Pakistan’s permanent representative at the United Nations Abdullah Hussain Haroon paid glowing tributes to Gandhi. He said Pakistan owes a debt of gratitude to a person who put himself even further at risk in ensuring that the right thing is done. "We must never forget that it is from one base that we have all risen. We can have minor differences," said Haroon.

Even foreigners can not resist the joy of Indian freedom at the Wagah border.

Importantly, the world leaders are invoking Gandhi’s words more frequently, as scores of nations struggle to cope with growing intolerance. The United States President Barrack Obama too quoted Gandhi, that intolerance is itself a form of violence and an obstacle to the growth of a true democratic spirit. Incidentally, Obama quoted Gandhi to condemn violence against America due to a film made by an amateur to poorly portray Islam.

In further indications that forces within Pakistan aspiring to preserve collective heritage are gaining ground, a roundabout in Lahore was renamed after the legendary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh. It’s laudable that the Pakistani authorities renamed the Shadman Chowk after the proud son of Lahore. Incidentally, it was at this spot where Bhagat Singh was hanged in March 1931 in the erstwhile Lahore Jail. The roundabout was built later on at this spot.

Besides, Lahore district administration chief Noorul Amin Mengal’s direction on renaming the roundabout was overwhelming for its underlying spirit. “All Pakistani citizens, including Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus and Christians, have equal rights under the Constitution and no one should object to the decision to rename the roundabout after Bhagat Singh,” said  Mengal. Thus, it’s abundantly clear that there are enough support for the rich historical legacy within Pakistan.

Also, another praiseworthy event took place in Karachi where the police slapped blasphemy charges against a group of Muslims for vandalizing a temple and attacking homes of Hindus during a protest against an anti-Islam film. Clearly, the first of its kind action would balm the wounds of religious minorities within Pakistan. Also, the move is more praiseworthy for the fact, that a number of Hindu families have fled to India in recent times fearing religious persecution.

Besides, the Karachi police registered a case against accused under section 295-A of the Pakistan Penal Code. The section covers deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs. Justifying the action, local police officer Jaffar Baloch stated that desecration of a temple meant blasphemy to him.

Surely, the official interventions in honouring Bhagat Singh and slapping blasphemy case against religious intolerants would reassure many that voices of reason are gaining strength in Pakistan. Importantly, over two dozen groups had campaigned for renaming of the Lahore roundabout after Bhagat Singh popularly known as Shahid-e-Azam. Also, it’s notworthy that there has been overwhelming support from civil society, including Pakistan’s Human Rights Commission, for slapping blasphemy case against accused who vandalized the temple.  

Furthermore, Gandhi laid more stress on nation building by opening hearts of the people. An inclusive society based on principles of tolerance and non-violence would surely take Pakistan to a better future. Pakistan does not need to look elsewhere for inspiration, as seeds for its better future lies in rich history spanning thousands of years.