Adil Najam
Ms. Asiya Nasir – Christian Member National Assembly (MNA), elected on a reserved seat from NA-322 (Balochistan-III) on an MMA (Mutihada Majlis i Amal; a coalition of religious parties) ticket, interestingly with JUI(F) affiliation – made this hard-hitting and courageous speech on the floor of the Pakistan National Assembly on March 4 before leading a token walk-out of minority and other members from the Assembly on the issue of Shahbaz Bhatti’s assassination.
The speech should be listened in full, not just for its heartfelt passion and its cry of pain, but also because no matter how much you think you know about Pakistan, you are bound to learn things you did not know. Asiya Nasir speaks to us not simply as a Minority or Christian MNA, but as a Pakistani. And it is as a Pakistanis that we must respond.
The 30 year old Asiya Nasir – wife of Nasir Masih and mother of a son and two daughters – has much to say and ask that we really have no response or answers to. But we should all be grateful to her for raising her voice as a Pakistani and asking questions that we have ignored – indeed, hidden – for too long. We are better off today because these questions have been asked.
Bravo , Ms.Asiya Nasir. She raises valid points about treatment of minorities in Pakistan.
Simple blasphemy….let’s see when the fitwa from the fitna comes.
by the way there are banners again tehmina durrani’s book blasphemy which was written 8 years back..Finally mulla nay hijjay kar kay parh li.lol
Bravo Asiya! Standing ovation. Spoken as true a Pakistani patriot. Finally a few voices in our political echelons are daring to say what desperately needs to be said.
Although I am very sorry for the death of Shabaz Bhatti, but I don’t think it should be politicized as a minority targeted atrocity. Every Pakistani is feeling the brunt of terrorism and lawlessness, be it from the so called Taliban or from the governing elite. How many Muslims were gunned down and blown before this incident, how many of us have left the country or are on the verge of doing so. we should not make it an minority issue rather a human and justice issue faced by the whole nation, why do the minorities want to be treated differently on this if they claim to be equals, which I believe they are.
Bravo. Aliya Nisar. A true Pakistani! Thank you for your strong words. But, was anyone listening!