Women's Action Forum (WAF) on Thursday condemned the brutal murder of Punjab Governor, Salmaan Taseer and urged the Pakistani nation not to be influenced by destructive forces that use religion or politics to further lower the potential for peace and prosperity in our country.
According to a press release, WAF lamented that incitement to violence in the name of religion has become widely prevalent in the country and the state has failed in its duty to curb this mischief. The murder of Salmaan Taseer is part of a strategy adopted since the time of Zia-ul-Haq to misuse religion in order to undermine democratic dialogue and to establish religious autocracy, it alleged.
It further urged that there must be a strong and effective law in the country to hold accountable those elements that are deliberately provoking and inciting violence in the name of religion. It added that it is high time for political forces to play their expected role and not avoid responsibility to steer the nation on a saner path rather than succumbing to pressure from mischievous elements. "No nation can survive in an environment where debate, discussion and dialogue are not possible because of fear, and where intimidation is used as a political tactic for the furtherance of interests harmful to the country," it added.
WAF said the real issues before us are those of economic stability, peace, security and well being of the people; these issues are being overshadowed by campaigns of hatred that are pitting citizens against each other.