Sialkot lynching

The murder of a Sri Lankan national in Sialkot is indeed a matter of national shame. It reflects the fact that given free rein, the twin beasts of extremism and illiteracy have succeeded in brutalising our society. From the information available, the murdered man was working as an export manager at the factory. In highly disturbing videos a large, enraged mob is witnessed at the crime scene. Disturbing reports from the crime scene indicate that Priyantha Kumara was tortured and his body was burnt by the mob.

Apparently, the crime was motivated by a dubious allegation of blasphemy, as some in the factory had accused the foreign victim of removing posters with religious material. However, some accounts say Priyantha was a strict administrator and the spurious blasphemy allegations may have been used by unscrupulous elements to get even with the murdered man. While the murder of any individual is a heinous crime, the fact that a foreigner was slain in such a brutal manner will only attract opprobrium internationally for Pakistan. Thankfully, the Sri Lankan authorities have responded in a rational manner and have said the abominable crime will not affect bilateral relations.

This is of course, not the first incident of its kind in the country. Too often allegations of blasphemy are used to settle personal scores and commit crimes. Mashal Khan, Salman Taseer and many others have had to pay with their lives over unproven and often spurious allegations of blasphemy. Of course, there can be no excuse to hurt religious sentiments. But cold-blooded murder in the name of blasphemy, based on the flimsiest of pretexts, cannot be justified either. Unfortunately, decades of placating extremists — the Tehreek-i-Labbaik fiasco being the latest in this sordid series of events — has resulted in increasing extremism in society. Religious and sectarian groups have abused religious sentiments and stoked violence, while radicalising large segments of the public in the process.

It is time all organs of the state unite to confront the monster of extremist violence once and for all. Such brutal incidents tarnish this country’s image and give grist to the mills of Pakistan’s enemies. Political scientists have long argued that the use of physical force should be the monopoly of the state, and that is how things should be. Non-state actors cannot be allowed to violently implement their agendas. Moreover, in this case the perpetrators must be brought to justice, and the world must be assured that such barbaric incidents will not be repeated. Until perpetrators of such crimes are punished, this vicious circle of extremist violence will never end. Some suspects have been rounded up, and a thorough investigation must be conducted so that all those involved in the planning and execution of this diabolical act are given the maximum punishment under the law. What is more, while there can be no compensation for a life taken away so brutally, the government must ensure that the slain man’s family is taken care of financially.

Also, it must be stressed that Islam is a religion of peace, and such abhorrent events are aberrations. No one can be punished on the basis of flimsy evidence, and the mob cannot be allowed to play judge, jury and executioner. The National Action Plan must be revived while policymakers must focus on deradicalisation programmes. Pakistan cannot afford such chaos for the sake of its own domestic peace, as well as its position in the comity of nations.