A few days ago I highlighted this wrong, but today after after seeing photos of policemen mercilessly beating an unarmed lady, I am again left speechless at this shameful violence.
We at ATP have long worried about the senselessness of the violence (physical, psychological, verbal, social) that seems to keep growing in our society. All violence is bad, violence by the state is especially disturbing.
We strongly condemn this police brutality. Whoever is ordering such treatment of protesters is definitely taking people away from the ideals of Pakistan. How do you expect this poor lady (or her family or anyone seeing this) to trust the state after getting such a thrashing at the hands of the states law-enforcers? Those who are responsible to safeguard our dignity.
Police reform is the cry of the day. They absolutely need a crash course in human dignity and how to tackle protesters in a civilized way. Mercilessly beating ladies (or on anyone as a matter of fact) is inhuman and not part of our culture, or of any culture. No matter what one thinks about the protesters or what they are protesting, this violence by the police is wrong and shameful. We all must condemn it.
Police or their higherups should see how much anger is building up in people who are not afraid of confronting them with bare hands. This anger needs a channel such as allowing peaceful protest or it will spill out in wrong kind of violence as it probably happened the other day in Multan.
Whether we agree with protesters or not, peaceful protest is their right. Treat humans – all humans, everywhere – with dignity. If we do not, then our own dignity is compromised.
Just so that I get it clear, according to Mr. I.Q. Butt and Viqar Minai, the women being beaten up in thsi picture are EVIL!!!!
Viqar Minai…. Mussolini’s name also started with M.
RE, this silly argument that Musharraf improved the image of Pakistan I cannot understand.
So, let us see what is the image of Pakistan that Musharraf is showing to the world….
Musharraf is telling the world that Pakistanis do not respect the constitution.
Musharraf is telling the world that Pakistani government forces hit their own innocenet women.
Musharraf is telling the world that we remove judges if we think they will decide against us.
Musharraf is telling the world that our rulers hold on to power no matter what, even if it takes emergencies.
Musharraf is telling the world that we hit and bleed our lawyers for wanting justice.
Musharraf is telling the world that we do not respect democracy.
Musharraf is telling the world that most Pakistanis are religious fanatics and only he is a good Pakistani.
Musharraf is telling the world that we can reinvite corrupt (BB) and incompetent politicians (NS) if we need them to save our skin.
How in God’s name does any of this help Pakistan’s image. I cannot imagine anyone — BB or NS included — who has harmed Pakistan and Pakistan’s image more than Musharraf!
AM seems to have come up with the stupendous logic that Musharraf should not be blamed because it was the police’s fault… OK, so you are saying that Musharraf is so weak and ineffectual and powerless as an absolute ruler that he cannot even control the actions of his own police (who come, ultimately, under his direct control)….. if so, then, (a) do we really want such an incompetent and inefective ruler and (b) how does anyone expect him to be successful with religious extremists (who he does not even control) when he cannot even control his own policemen!
Thank you, AM, for pointing out the incompetence of the Musharraf government by highlighting how incapable he is of anything.
Mr. Rafay Kashmiri….. so you are saying you woudl have preferred to see “Photos showing … blood, dead bodies, pices of
humanbody”
I am sorry that is sickening…. why woud you want innocent Pakistanis (and women) to be bleeding, dead or torn to pieces before we consider anything “shameful”!!!!