I don't think myself capable enough to dojustice with such a sensitive topic, being a relatively less experiencedwriter. I feel restricted by English language when I try to chronicle the griefthat subsists deep inside my soul due to the escalating social disharmony inPakistan.
I believe that an educationist or a socialactivist can be killed physically but their souls become eternal. They liveamong us forever. Therefore, it is not justified to say that an educationist ora social activist was killed; they cannot be killed rather they become eternal.
Debra Lobo, vice-principal of the studentaffairs wing Jinnah Medical and Dental College, was attacked by fourunidentified gunmen in the city of Karachi on April 16.
Sabeen Mahmud, a social activist and founder of ‘TheSecond Floor’, was shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Karachi on April 24. Mahmud succumbed to the wounds and waspronounced eternal. Mahmud was a woman of strong will anddetermination. She once told the Wired magazine in an interview: “Fear is just a line in your head. You canchoose what side of that line you want to be on.”
Dr Syed Wahidur Rahman, an associate professor at theKarachi University's Mass Communication department, was gunned down by fourunidentified men in Karachi on April 29.
What I want to do, as a potential socialscientist, is to identify the common link between these acts of intolerance andmonstrosity. The common link in the three acts mentioned above is, ‘shot dead or attacked by unidentified men’.
It is difficult for me to reconcile my thoughtsin order to put them into black and white as I write this piece on Thursdayafternoon.
The killings that Karachi has witnessed are largely because Religionis still the business of the state. Religiosity has produced perilous disharmonywhich is now deeply rooted in our land.
Nevertheless, there is a glowing silver liningto this black cloud. Karachi may have plethora of woes and worries, but there is nodoubt that there are people who are devoted to alleviate these woes and worries inthe most benevolent manner.
The philanthropic organisations are teaming up withvarious sectors to revive peace and social harmony in the city. For now, my optimisticinstinct suggests a lull in the bloodshed and revival of peace.