Sound of silence

There is very little to say. No words to express what is happening to our nation and to those who struggle to try and make it a better place. The brutal killing of Sabeen Mahmud on Friday night in Karachi delivers a clear message; a terrible message – one that can only add to the fear that runs through our society and reminds us that dissent can mean death. This has been the case too often. Others before Sabeen have been targeted. Sabeen Mahmud, 40, a social media activist and the director of the vibrant The Second Floor, or T2F, café and meeting place in Karachi, was gunned down in a targeted attack as she left the venue she had opened up in 2007, along with her mother to return to her home in Defence. She was shot dead before she could reach it. Her mother was critically injured. The police agree that no attempt at mugging was involved in what happened. This killing was definitely for other purposes.
Perhaps the motives behind the murder will become clear; perhaps they never will. But we know what the impact is. Another person that spoke out for human rights and became a voice for those who have none has been silenced – forever. It may be significant that Sabeen Mahmud was killed shortly after a discussion titled ‘Unsilencing Balochistan’ was held at T2F. The event was attended by prominent human right activists and journalists. A similar seminar planned at the Lahore University of Management Sciences just days ago was cancelled under pressure.
The situation we have created in our country is an untenable one. When intolerance or fanaticism of any kind quashes the voices of people who speak out for others, an even more dangerous state of affairs is created. The danger of eruption is greater when dissent cannot be expressed through legitimate means. Sabeen Mahmud had attempted to do this. Her life ended far too early because she chose this path. The question for us is where we go from here. Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif who is in United Kingdom on a visit asked concerned authorities to investigate the incident and submit him a report. He has extended condolences to the bereaved family of Sabeen Mahmud. The ISPR chief has also condemned the murder and pledged to help expose those behind it. It is important that the truth behind Sabeen’s murder is uncovered and justice delivered, even though this will not bring back a vibrant young person who should have been among us today.