Adil Najam
Shahbaz Bhatti – Pakistan’s Minister for Minority Affairs, son of Jacob Bhatti, defender of minority rights and tolerance in Pakistan, and the only Christian Minister in the current cabinet – was gunned down today by the enemies of Pakistan, the enemies of humanity, and enemies of all that is decent and right.
Today, once again, we have one less good Pakistani amongst us. Today, once again, all of us should be ashamed at the intolerance that we have bred and tolerated around us.
Here is a report from Dawn on the news:
Gunmen shot and killed Pakistan’s government minister for religious minorities on Wednesday, the latest attack on a high-profile Pakistani figure who had urged reforming harsh blasphemy laws that impose the death penalty for insulting Islam.
Shahbaz Bhatti was on his way to work in Islamabad when unknown gunmen riddled his car with bullets, police officer Mohmmad Iqbal said. The minister arrived dead at Shifa Hospital and his driver was also wounded badly, hospital spokesman Asmatullah Qureshi said.
The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the killing, saying the minister had been “punished” for being a blasphemer.
Witnesses said the attackers scattered leaflets signed by “The Qaeda and the Taliban of Punjab” at the attack scene, which read: “This is the punishment of this cursed man.”
Taliban militants had called for Bhatti’s death because of his attempts to amend the blasphemy law.
“He was a blasphemer like Salman Taseer,” spokesman Sajjad Mohmand said by telephone from an undisclosed location.
Gulam Rahim was coming from a nearby market when he saw Bhatti’s car drive out of his house. Three men standing nearby with guns suddenly began firing at the vehicle, a dark-colored Toyota.
Two of the men opened the door and tried to pull Bhatti out, Rahim said, while a third man fired his Kalashnikov rifle repeatedly into the car. The three gunmen then sped away in a white Suzuki Mehran car, said Rahim who took shelter behind a tree.
Pakistani TV channels showed Bhatti’s vehicle afterward, its windows shattered with bullet holes all over. It was not immediately clear why Bhatti, a member of the ruling Pakistani People’s Party, did not have bodyguards with him.
After Salman Taseer’s assassination, Bhatti said he was also receiving death threats, telling AFP that he was “the highest target right now”.
But he had insisted that he would work as usual.
“I’m not talking about special security arrangements. We need to stand against these forces of terrorism because they’re terrorising the country,” Bhatti said at the time.
“I cannot trust on security…. I believe that protection can come only from heaven, so these bodyguards can’t save you.”
Pakistani government leaders condemned the attack.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani visited the hospital and offered condolences to Bhatti’s grieving relatives.
“Such acts will not deter the government’s resolve to fight terrorism and extremism,” he said, adding that the killers would not go unpunished.
“This is concerted campaign to slaughter every liberal, progressive and humanist voice in Pakistan,” said Farahnaz Ispahani, an aide to President Asif Ali Zardari. “The time has come for the federal government and provincial governments to speak out and to take a strong stand against these murderers to save the very essence of Pakistan.”
Bhatti’s friend Robinson Asghar said the slain minister had received threats following the death of the Punjab governor. Asghar said he had asked Bhatti to leave Pakistan for a while because of the threats, but that Bhatti had refused.
Pakistan’s information minister, Firdous Ashiq Awan, said Bhatti had played a key role in promoting interfaith harmony, and he was a great asset.
“We are sad over his tragic death,” she said, adding that the government would investigate why he did not have a security escort.
And the Prophet of Islam (peace be up on him) said:
“Whoever hurts a Non-Muslim citizen of a Muslim state hurts me, and he who hurts me annoys God.” (Bukhari)
——
“He who hurts a Non-Muslim citizen of a Muslim state, I am his adversary, and I shall be his adversary on the Day of a Judgement.” (Bukhari)
——
“Beware on the Day of Judgement; I shall myself be complainant against him who wrongs a Non-Muslim citizen of a Muslim state or lays on him a responsibility greater than he can bear or deprives him of anything that belongs to him.”(Al-Mawardi)
—–
“Anyone who kills a Non-Muslim who had become our ally will not smell the fragrance of Paradise.” (Bukhari)
—–
May Allah (swt) rest Shahbaz Bhatti’s soul in peace.
Humanity cannot be fooled for too long.’Islam’ means peace..they keep telling us. well the only peace they offer is the silence after all opposing voices of truth have been massacared.
RIP.
The slain minister Bhatti is another true martyr. Like Salman Taseer. He, like Taseer, would still be alive today enjoying great life being higher-up in political setup. He, like Taseer, could have afforded to go on expensive shopping trips abroad, cruise trips, vacations in European chalets. Enjoying all the amenities of life. [B]If only Bhattis and Taseers were like the rest of majority of Pakistanis. Only if they could have been cowered like the others[/B].
Bhatti had plenty of warnings. I remember reading his interview a few weeks ago where he talks about the threat to his life but was defiant. So his death is not a shock to me. Well, after Taseer, nothing will shock me, I guess.
Not even if these fanatics blow up the Mausoleum of M.A.Jinnah in Karachi on some mis-guided excuse.
Where is the Ata Turk for Pakistan? Who can revise the curriculum 180 degree? Who can unleash the true force of the State of Pakistan against these fanatics? Nothing short of a total war against these fanatics can save Pakistan. That is because it is getting harder and harder for ‘liberal’ voices to be heard.
Bravo to another brave son of Pakistan! May you rest in peace and may these fanatics and their bigoted ideology is gone from the face of the world as soon as possible.
PS. So is it Sherri Rehman’s turn next? Please Sherri! You are a pride of Pakistan. Be safe.
The Vatican has asked the Pakistani government to safeguard the life and property of the Christians. As a humble Pakistani Muslim, I request the Holy See to make a request to the government to safeguard the life of the Muslims too.
There the four distinct parties who have blood on their hands. The government/Army offcourse by not providing enough security and giving all encouragement to the religious zealots to create by walking backwards on the blasphemy bill and also creating this menace for us in the name of Jehad. The religious right, there is nothing religious about it, bend on killing every living man, woman and child Pakistani except for themselves. The media and opposition/other political parties by openly siding with the militants and the judiciary by emphasizing on other important issues like who has the right to broadcast the world cup and whether PCO judges should be hanged. The su mi to mo CJ probably shit in his pants like our PM and Prez just by thinking about taking action on this issue. He is more interested is more news worthy cases and causes.
As for us public… charh ja baccha sooli pay, ram bhali karay ga
Howcome none of my dear readers, commentors have posted any comment on my comment. Please see it on page 2 of comments. Thanks.
Please comment something. I’m feeling LONELY :-(