The way Sri Lankan factory manager Priyantha Kumara was brutally murdered has sent shockwave through Pakistanis. The heartbreaking incident has once again tarnished Pakistan’s image global and let’s be clear, the consequences internationally for our country are dire.
This is yet another example of how mobs in Pakistan have taken justice into their own hands in cases of alleged blasphemy. At a time when the many countries in the world are trying their best to harm Pakistan in the international political arena, the Sialkot incident is nothing less than a spark. Such inhumane incidents are already causing problems for Pakistan.
Sri Lanka is a long time friend of Pakistan and has always stands by Islamabad against New Delhi, but the horrific extrajudicial killing of its citizen has not only damaged the hearts of Pakistanis but has also made the opinion of anti-Pakistan elements stronger. The international community has the right to understand why such crimes are committed only in Pakistan out of 57 OIC countries.
Unfortunately, our Defense Minister Pervez Khattak says that “young people have become victims of emotions”. If the United Nations sees that Pakistan is running on emotions instead of constitution and law then difficulties for the country would further increase and the detachment of the United Nations from Pakistan will continue to increase.
The Sialkot tragedy, if viewed from the perspective of international law, is a serious violation of Article 5 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which clearly states that no one in the world should be subjected to inhumane treatment or punishment. When there is justice system in Pakistan, then if anyone commits a serious crime, then this accused should be brought before the law instead of inhumane torture.
But even here the fact has come to light during the investigation that the slain Sri Lankan used to urge some incompetent employees to do their official duties and make their livelihood lawful. Such people have committed this heinous crime under the guise of religion.
Now that we are stuck in the whirlpool of the FATF, apart from the European Union and other forums, and at the next meeting of the Financial Action Task Force, this heartbreaking incident will surely be on the minds of the members while making any decision.
I have served as the head for the United Nations in various countries of the world, but I have not seen in any country where a mob or a group based on religion has taken the law into its own hands and take life of a human being.
There is no doubt that the sanctity of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is a fundamental part of faith for any Muslim, but it is also a fact that it is against the law for any human being to commit such atrocities without any evidence and even Islam does not allow it. Pakistan’s top clerics Javed Ahmed Ghamdi and Dr Aziz say the killing of Sri Lankan citizen is un-Islamic.
Islam is the religion of peace and Allah Almighty has termed Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) “a mercy to the worlds”. For the first time in history, Ulema belonging to the four mainstream schools of thought denounced self-declared vigilantism and demanded strict legal action against those behind Sialkot lynching.
Such inhumane treatment of any human being in any country of the world is considered against Islam and national laws. Sri Lanka is the country that saved the lives of many Pakistanis by sending dozens of doctors to Pakistan during the dengue season. Apart from this, Sri Lankans are very happy and proud to send eye donations to Pakistan to enlighten the lives of the people by giving them sight.
Sialkot has a distinct reputation in the world for its sports equipment, surgical instruments and leather products. However, after this incident, it will be difficult for professionals to visit Sialkot and it is being hinted that large orders will start declining which will have serious consequences on our ailing economy.
Ironically, the way in which religion has been used for politics in this country has led people to arouse religious sentiments in order to achieve their goals. As far as blasphemy cases are concerned, the accused have been given relief in most of the cases due to lack of evidence in the courts. It has also been observed that people are often involved in theft, robbery, murder and other serious cases due to personal enmity in order to get revenge which is impossible to prove in court.
Given the current situation, it is difficult to say whether such incidents will be stopped in the future. Incidents like the Sialkot tragedy could create serious problems in Pakistan’s foreign relations and in this regard, Islamabad will need a lot of effort to eradicate its negative image.
Translated by: MM News Editorial Team
