Discrimination factor

State policies are devised so as to prevent a sense of discrimination among different cultural and religious communities inhibiting a country. However, in case of Pakistan, we find that the state is doing just the opposite. Today’s extremist mindset and sectarian friction can be traced to the myopic policies followed by past governments – both civilian and military. The contradictory approach is reflected in our constitution as well – on the one hand, it guarantees equal rights to all citizens of the state, while on the other hand non-Muslims are constitutionally barred from contesting for the office of president.

Let us take the famous speech of Quaid-e-Azam that he delivered while addressing the first Constituent Assembly of Pakistan on August 11, 1947 as our guide – “you may belong to any religion, caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the state”. On another point, he said, “We are starting with this fundamental principle that we are all citizens and equal citizens of one state.”

Ali Raza R Kazi

Sukkur