Pakistan coerced once again: Added to Black List Over Religious Freedom

But this time it was different excuse. Generally, US blame Pakistan for its failure in Afghanistan and blame Pakistan for not doing enough and demand “Do More”.  But the fact that US has spent trillion of dollars, best weapons, all types of latest military tactics, best trained forces from US, and Its allies, but could not gain any victory. Even today, US troops cannot move freely or fearlessly inside the Capital Kabul. They are restricted inside the Bagram Air Base only. Whenever they need to move outside air base, they move in big convey, under heavy security cover. US is the “Super Power”, largest Economy, Largest Producer of Weapons, Largest exporter of Weapons, Largest Geopolitical Power, and yet could not win a war against a very small country like Afghanistan, which is suffering shortage of food, no health care, no educational facilities, no electricity, no fuel, even no shoes to wear. Ranked least developed county, 177th position in poverty, but rich in faith, brave genetically, never conquered by any invaders, Afghans are still controlling major part of the country. Which makes US to lose face and trying to use Pakistan as “scapegoat”.

US always blaming that Pakistan is providing safe heavens to Taliban, who were creation of US, against Russian Occupation of Afghanistan in 1980s. US armed them, trained them, provided US Dollars and used them against Russian, they were heroes, who made US win over Russian, but today they are terrorist and unwanted people.

US was blaming Pakistan for not taking actions against “Haqqani Network”. But recent death of Haqqani leadership inside Afghanistan, proved that, it was stationed inside Afghanistan, and was operating from Afghanistan, and nothing to do with Pakistan. In fact, US or US-backed Afghan Government should be blamed for not doing enough. They need to “Do More”. Pakistan has done enough. We are a small country, weak economy, our strength is limited, resources are limited, but we sacrificed 75000 precious lives and 250 billion US Dollars in economic lose.

When the world recognized the positive role of Pakistan and US could not use Pakistan as “Scapegoat”. They opted for new excuse to pressurize Pakistan. The United States has added Pakistan to its blacklist of countries that violate religious freedom, ramping up pressure over the treatment of minorities in the country. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he had designated Pakistan among “countries of particular concern” in a congressionally mandated annual report, meaning the US government is obliged to exert pressure to end freedom violations.

The Foreign Affairs Ministry has lodged a strong protest with the US for placing Pakistan on the blacklist of countries that it says violates religious freedom.

US State Secretary Mike Pompeo said on Tuesday he had designated Pakistan among the “countries of particular concern” in a congressionally-mandated annual report, which means that the US government is obliged to exert pressure to end freedom violations.

Pakistan has rejected the US State Department’s move to add the country to its blacklist of countries that violate religious freedom as “unilateral and politically motivated”. US diplomats were summoned at the Foreign Office and handed over a protest letter.

Federal Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari, “expressed surprise at the US Administration’s decision to add Pakistan to the ‘blacklist for religious freedom violations’”.

In a statement issued by the minister’s office, she said it was apparent the US was using this as a brazen political tactic to pressurize Pakistan to mitigate US failures in Afghanistan. “The timing of this move reflects this most clearly,” says the statement. Further she suggested United States to assess the situation of minority rights in other countries as well. “There is no doubt Pakistan’s record on religious freedom is not ideal but then is the EU’s record much better given the restrictions on churches, the banning of certain dress codes of Muslims, refusal of entry of certain preachers – the list continues. In our own neighborhood we have India where Muslims are being targeted and where the BJP is supporting violence against Muslims ostensibly over beef,” the statement says. Please refer to “Human Rights Watch” report 2018, India has surpassed on violations of religious rights and crimes against minorities. UN official could not control while presenting his report on Indian atrocities in Jammu and Kashmir, and was weeping and crying out of his control. Israel is also worst violator of the regions rights and human right in the world.

The fact is that sometimes Pakistanis due to economic hardships travel to Western World and seek assistance from their local Lawyers or Immigration consultants, who charge them heavily to seek “Political Asylum”. These Lawyers or Consultants, knows the local rules and regulations and loop holes in their system and manipulate the case in a way that their client belongs to minority and may face life threat in Pakistan, so that Political asylum may be granted. In fact these migrants are not from the minorities, but their hired consultants and Lawyers who charged them hefty amounts, declare them minorities to win their cases and justify huge fee. It is business for them but may bring bad name for Pakistan.  Otherwise, in Pakistan, Minorities rights are very well protected by our constitution and there are precedence that our courts and government has favored them inn past on many occasions. We cannot deny any exceptional case or individuals’ acts, but state policy is very well protecting minorities and they are enjoying full freedom to practice their religion and customs and traditions. Pakistan is well matured, sensible and well civilized nation. It is a friendly nation and accommodates every one irrespective of its religion, race or class. We have accommodated up to 5 million Afghanis, 3 Millions Iranians, 2 Million Bengalis, few million Africans and few million Burmese, and so on.

While in Europe, officially they ban “Veil” for Muslims and denied the freedom of dress code for Muslims. US president, keeping aside all diplomatic norms humiliated Africans, Muslims and immigrants. India and Israel are the worst countries in violation of human rights and religious freedom.

In fact, US wanted to pressurize Pakistan to bring Taliban on talking Table and wanted to make Pakistan “Scapegoat”. But world already knows Pakistan’s positive role and may not be fooled any more. Pakistan is politically victimized once again.

We strongly condemned any act to unnecessarily pressurize Pakistan and lodge strong protest over such attempts.

Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan
Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan
Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Sinologist (ex-Diplomat), Non-Resident Fellow of CCG (Center for China and Globalization), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan.