Discriminating Legislation in Pakistan

Other nations are busy in conquering the stars, while we the Pakistani’s are involved in fights about wasteful issues like religious affiliation, believes and thoughts. This fearful situation is flourishing in the Muslim community and even government institutions of the country.

Pakistan is neither a theocratic state nor going to be a theocratic state, ruled by priests of any religion, belief or sect.  But it seems that most of the religious leaders and opinion makers want to impose their self-constructed ‘Shariah’ on civilians of this country. On the other hand, the people of Pakistan have always disliked religious discrimination, and whenever given power, they have chosen secular political parties as their representatives. But only due to the strict behavior of the powerful and influencing people, there is always religious extremism, violence and peace disturbance in the country.

On 11th of August 1947, Founder of the nation, Mr. Muhammad Ali Jinnah, delivering his speech to the first national constitution assembly said:

“Religion, cast or creed have nothing to do with the business of the state.”

In the light of this statement, it is undoubtedly clear, that in the eyes of the National Constitution of Pakistan, all its citizens are equal. But in contradiction to this, that same constitution acts as hesitant actor for non-Muslims to become head of the state. This insulting clause from our constitution shows that minorities in Pakistan are considered second-grade citizens.

An unprejudiced constitution demands that blasphemy laws should be same for all citizens of the country. But just because of these laws, non-Muslims are continuously suffering by maliciously. All citizens should be given equal rights to practice and preach their religion, but in Pakistan non-Muslims can’t openly preach their religion as it is not allowed here. But there seems to be no restriction at all on hateful sermons by some traditional Muslim scholars.

To protect the lives of its citizens, to protect them against the abuses of power and to provide them with dignity, it is responsibility of the state that they should also be dealt as the equal citizens in society and law. All the religions are based on believing and implementing equal respect, security of life and honour, love and sympathy to humanity.