‘US cast a jaundiced eye towards Pakistan’

Islamabad: The Pakistan Interfaith League (PIL) said that the latest decision by the US to put Pakistan on its ‘Watch List’ aimed at monitoring the religious intolerance in the country is nothing short of stabbing a friend in the back.

The PIL Chairman, Sajid Ishaq, said that history is witness to the fact that Pakistan has always extended support to the US and the two wars in the region which involved the US, one in Afghanistan against the then USSR and the on-going war on terror, also in Afghanistan, Pakistan remained the main ally of the US.

“Unfortunately in both the adventures the US ditched Pakistan at the end and instead of appreciating the sacrifices offered by the Pakistan government as well as the Pakistani people, it turned hostile towards Pakistan,” Sajid Ishaq said.

“But, first suspending the military assistance to Pakistan despite the sacrifices the country and its people have extended in war on terror and now putting Pakistan on a watch list to monitor religious intolerance in the country is nothing but a cruel joke,” Sajid Ishaq said.

He said that the situation of religious tolerance amongst the followers of different faiths is far better than in many other countries. He pointed out that in India, the most populous country on earth there not a single day passes when a horrific incident of religious intolerance has not happened.

“In Kashmir, Indian Army has let loose worst form of state sponsored terrorism against helpless Kashmiri Muslims who are only demanding their promised right to self determination. In Myanmar the Buddhists are mercilessly slaughtering helpless Rohingya Muslims. And in Israel, the Jewish forces are indiscriminately killing Palestinian Muslims, young and old, men and women. And these are a few facts to quote in response to the latest decision by the Trump-led US government to put Pakistan on this ‘watch list’,” Sajid Ishaq pointed out.

He also said that even inside the US there have been violent incidents of religious and racial intolerance. “On the contrary,” Sajid Ishaq stressed, “in Pakistan the situation of religion-based tolerance and acceptance in society is far better. Be those Christians, the Sikhs or the Hindus, they are free to go to their respective religious places without any fear,” the PIL Chairman said.

“So much so, the followers of different religions are participating and celebrating each other’s religious events and functions. The Prime Minister of Pakistan has attended the Hindu celebrations and the Pakistan Army Chief has attended the Christmas celebrations. The Bahai community has celebrated 200th birth anniversary of their spiritual leader all over the country and those functions were participated by the followers of different faiths in Pakistan, including Muslims,” Sajid Ishaq said.

He said that this is the time for reckoning for Pakistan as well as for America. “America should realize and acknowledge the support and sacrifices Pakistan has extended to the US and Pakistan should take a pragmatic view of its relations with the US and instead of giving kneejerk reaction, should put its case based on facts and figures to wipe away the misunderstandings created between the two countries by those who are opposed to restoring lasting peace in this region,” Sajid Ishaq said.