The horrifying lynching and torching of a Sri Lankan factory manager in Sialkot sent shockwaves through Pakistanis. The incident that occurred on Friday will also be remembered as one of the most appalling, abominable episodes to happen in the history of Pakistan.
Priyantha Kumara had been working in Sialkot for nearly a decade. The mob, it is understood from initial reports, became incensed after news spread that he had torn down a religious poster with Quranic verses. Though details are scant, several questions are being raised regarding possible political affiliation or support among the mob for violent political groups such as the TLP.
Pakistan has become home to more and more incidents involving attacks by mobs on people accused, often falsely, of blasphemy. Friday’s incident has reminded us of the mob torture and lynching of two brothers in Sialkot in 2010 that shocked the nation due to the extremes of violence. And who can forget the heartbreaking lynching of Mashal Khan.
Of course, there are the perfunctory words of condemnation issued by the government and by politicians but the unfortunate fact is we stand here today due to the impunity with which extremist groups operate in the country and the complicity of the state.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Imran Khan has assured Sri Lankan President of justice and conveyed the nation’s anger and shame to people of Sri Lanka. Punjab government spokesperson Hasaan Khawar revealed that 118 suspects have been arrested during 200 raids and among those detained were 13 primary suspects.
However, things have escalated far beyond just mere investigation and conviction. This is not just a one-off criminal action — this is terrorism that has now become an occurrence in our society. It is time for the state and government to level with the citizenry. The government needs to draft a concrete plan to deal with growing extremism in the country.
The government must not repeat the mistakes it made in the Mashal Khan lynching, where it took years to hold those involved in the mob to be sentenced, with a lot of the culprits being let off. This is an endemic problem, one of mindsets and passing judgement without proof. It needs a comprehensive state-level reaction.
