Earlier this year, prominent social and human rights activist Sabeen Mahmud was shot dead in Karachi. Many argue that she was shot because she stood up for the innocent and the oppressed, most recently for her support of the “Unsilencing Balochistan” talk. Her death shook many – but the irony, however, is that this isn’t something new or different in Pakistan; many voices and cries have been silenced before Mahmud.
Pakistan can be a great country. These actions, however, silence the very people working to help move Pakistan in the right direction. And it just these kind of actions that plunge a society into darkness, ultimately leading them to anarchy. Here are a few things that Sabeen Mahmud’s death tell us about ourselves.
1. We tend to protest, burn and hit our own people for something that is happening 7 seas across.
Source: Baltimore Sun
Cars being burnt for for an anti-islamic film made by an amateur in the U.S. This protest alone caused 13 deaths. Of Pakistanis.
Yet we couldn’t care less when our own people are burnt alive. Or maybe we just don’t consider them our own. Source: NBC News
Christian couple burnt alive, in front of Police and dozen witnesses, over alleged blasphemy
2. We vowed to put an end to sectarian violence Source: Hazara People
Relatives with their loved ones’ dead bodies in front of the Governor House in Quetta protesting the killing of Hazara Shite community.
Yet we discuss the possibilities of fighting somebody else’s war based on sectarianism
Source: FARS
Atleast 180 children have been killed in the war between Houthi Shite Rebels and Saudia Arabia
3. It took a massacre of 132 school childre Source: Blogspot
to make us realize these people are not our friends Source: Pakistan Today
Head of TTP’s negotiating committee shaking hand with the Prime Minister’s Special Assistant on National Affairs.
4. We promised to put an end to the Taliban and their extremist mindset Source: Express Tribune
All Political leaders get together to hold a press conference after the Dec 16th attack
Source: Dawn News
Candle Light Vigil In Islamabad for the brave souls who were martyred
And yet their sympathizers roam free and spit on our faces Source: Dawn
Maulana Abdul Aziz, the biggest Taliban sympathizer resides comfortably in Islamabad
5. Our Government assures the progress and equality of Balochistan Source: Educational.pk
And yet we silence them every opportunity we get Source: New Pakistan
6. We idolize mass murderers Source: NDTV
Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, a known mass murder responsible for the Mumbai attacks, waves to his supporters.
And despise our own Noble laureate
A renowned Pakistani journalists with a significant following.
7. We live in a country where killing an innocent in broad day light will make you a hero
Source: Daily Muslims
Mumtaz Qadri, responsible for the cowardly assaniation of Governor Taseer, was treated like a hero.
And where defending one will get you a shot in the head
Source: Timedotcom
Sabeen Mahmud, who helped raise awareness about the atrocities caused to the Baloch community, being taken to her burial site.
Source: Brandsynari
Rest In Peace Sabeen Mahmud, sorry for not raising our voices enough. #IAmSabee
