‘The Chief Minister of Punjab, Mian Shahbaz Sharif, or his cabinet ministers did not visit the sites of Ahmadis’ massacre in Lahore on May 28. However, Shahbaz Sharif reached Jinnah Hospital in twenty minutes of attacks without bothering about his security’.
This is how Colonel (retired) Naseer ul Haq reacted when Viewpoint asked his reaction on Punjab government’s role in the wake of May 28 terrorist attacks on two Ahmadiyya mosques in Lahore that claimed over 90 lives.
In a related incident, on May 31 armed attackers stormed Lahore’s Jinnah Hospital killing eight persons in their bid to free an accused terrorist who was hospitalised after being nabbed by the worshippers at Ahmadiyya mosque on May 28.
Colonel Naseer pointed out that only Punjab Minister for Minorities Kamran Michael visited the Ahmadiyya mosques in Model Town and Garri Shahu. Being Christian, Kamran Michael would not have invited either bad press or invoked public outrage while rest of the cabinet members stayed away from the incident. The Punjab Governor, Salmaan Taseer, nonetheless visited the scene of tragedy on May 31---- four days after the carnage. Colonel Naseer also lamented the role of police and law enforcing agencies on May 28. He said the cops it seemed came there to mark their presence otherwise they were least bothered about the attack. “They were laughing and smoking outside the mosques,” he asserted. Excerpts:
Viewpoint: Many critics say the mainstream media have played the role of a partisan. How do you view the role of media?
Colonel Naseer – The staffers of one particular news channel promptly reached both the spots which casts doubts in one’s mind. There are 18 mosques of Ahmadiyya community in Lahore but prompt appearance at these two places creates a lot of doubts. The security personnel employed by Ahmadiyya community to guard the mosque, nabbed the attackers but a staffer from the same channel intervened in an attempt to help the terrorist escape. We however handed over the attacker to the city police. If media are sincere, they should telecast and publish the press conferences addressed by the Ahmadiyya leaders like Mirza Khursheed Ahmed and Mirza Ghulam Ahmed. If these press briefings were aired or made available to general public through print media, misunderstandings would have been clarified and doubts could be dispelled. Every channel and newspaper seeks our point of view but avoids reporting our miseries.
Viewpoint: There has been demonstrations by civil society groups to condemn May 28 attacks. But Ahmadiyya community itself has not mobilised its followers as is the case with Christians or Shias who take to streets when they are attacked. Even otherwise Ahmediyya community is seen as a party that has isolated itself. Why this strategy?
We consider ourselves Muslims. It is an amendment in the constitution that has relegated our status to that of a minority. The Ahmadiyya community would not protest. We are not involved in any anti-state activities or harming anyone still we are targeted and if we begin mooting protest demonstrations, we will be putting the lives of our community members in danger.
Viewpoint: Is there any other Muslim country that has declared Jamaat Ahmedia as non-Muslim. In what other Muslim countries Jamaat Ahmedia faces restrictions and persecution and if there is any Muslim country that does not impose restrictions on Jamaat Ahmadiyya?
We have been victimised only in Pakistan whereas in 192 countries, where community operates, the situation is better. Ahmadiyya community faces problem in those countries where delegates from Pakistani religious groups pay visits and provoke people against us. Compared to Pakistan, even Saudi Arabia treats us better and never acts as harsh.
Viewpoint: There was SMS campaign immediately after Lahore tragedy to boycott brands attributed to Ahmedis. Who do you think was behind this move and why has Ahmediyya community not contacted mobile companies to freeze these hate messages or moved the court to get them banned?
Even before the May 28 attacks, there have been regular smear and boycott campaigns against us. The main roads of the city were full of banners carrying hate-slogans instigating people to kill Ahmadis. If the state is sincere with us, it should have stopped the hate campaign we have been constantly subjected to.
Viewpoint: President and Prime Minister have condemned as has chief minister. However, record of both big parties regarding Ahmediyya community is questionable. How do you view the role of these two big parties?
Both major political parties, Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) have never favoured our community. Like PML-N, like PPP. Both have always acted against us and always done politics on our dead bodies. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto raised the slogan of Roti, Kupra and Makan (food, clothing and shelter) and on the basis of this slogan he won the general elections in 1970. To win the next election in 1977, he declared us non-Muslim.
N.T. Khan