In the past days, Pakistan has been hit with more than a dozen blasts in three provinces. This will be the first time that Pakistan was able to finish its parliamentary period to full term. Some people do see it as a success in terms of a democratic process but the democracy has come with a price. It has its more than fair share of sectarian killings, corruption, power crisis, poverty, unemployment, inflation, violence against women and the list does not ends here. One of the most crucial problems that Pakistan has faced is the lack of security and law and order situation in the country. The country has been attacked by Taliban and its allied forces which has not only heightened sectarian violence but it has also heightened violence against religiously marginalised communities. This has been accommodated by the lack of judiciary support where the members of alleged perpetrators have been let loose by the judiciary to “maintain peace”.
In this process, Karachi, has been under immense attack from such elements. Karachi is not only the biggest economic and social hub of Pakistan but its also the sixth largest city in the world supporting a population of more than 18 million people. Its not only known for its diversity of people and culture but it also used to be a hub of religious harmony where you would know a Hindu, Christian, or Parsi as your neighbour, your peer, and your colleague. The fight against Taliban has not only brought to grief to people in terms of suicide bombings, damage of business, property and lives and it was also increased immense paranoia and fear in the community to take any action. It might not be clear to many but Pakistan is in a state of war against right wing religious extremism who are now taking their fight to electoral polls. There have been reports from various parts of the country where mosques are distributed posters by Taliban of warning people of consequences for voting. If such elements carried through Pakistan will not be far from reaching the current state of combat zone.
Politicians like Imran Khan who have not openly condemned Taliban of their actions to the community at large have asked Taliban to hold down their attacks till the elections in May. This is concerning as it shows loss of power and control of sovereignty of state. This is your war people, your polls are your battlefield. You have to make a choice to preserve your fate for the next 5 years. Do not be scared of going to polling stations because its not just a question of fate of your but for all the things to come in the future and if you failed now, there won’t be way back to correct things. If we gave up as a nation infront of religious extremism and bigotry then we would not have a sovereign state to reside in, it will be another Afghanistan.