Activists in Karachi Address Rising Extremism and Blasphemy-Related Killings in Sindh
In Karachi, an event titled “Societal Resistance Against the Surge in Extremism and Radicalization in Sindh” was held at Szabist University. Activists discussed the alarming increase in extrajudicial killings linked to blasphemy charges. Dr. Riaz Shaikh, dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at Szabist, expressed concerns about the growing power of extremist groups and criticized the state’s lack of action. He highlighted the case of Dr. Shahnawaz Kunbhar, a blasphemy suspect killed by policemen who remain unpunished.
Rights activist Sadia Baloch traced the roots of extremism to the Afghan jihad and the U.S. war on terror, noting its spread to Sindh. She criticized the state’s response to protests against Dr. Kunbhar’s killing. Writer Noorul Huda Shah criticized the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government for its reliance on spiritual leaders and landlords, which she believes leads to neglect of public issues.
Lawyer Rumasa Javed emphasized the judiciary’s role in addressing extrajudicial killings, while Iqbal Detho, Chairperson of the Sindh Human Rights Commission, stressed the importance of accountability and the rule of law. Shahnaz Wazir Ali expressed hope that the youth will drive positive change. The event, moderated by Shazia Nizamani, concluded with a call for civil society to resist extremism.
Doubts Revealed
Karachi -: Karachi is a big city in Pakistan, similar to how Mumbai is a big city in India. It’s known for being a major financial and cultural hub.
Extremism -: Extremism is when people have very strong and sometimes dangerous beliefs, often leading to violence or unfair treatment of others. It’s like when someone believes their way is the only right way and doesn’t accept others’ views.
Blasphemy -: Blasphemy is when someone says or does something that is considered disrespectful to religious beliefs. In some places, this can lead to serious consequences.
Sindh -: Sindh is a province in Pakistan, similar to how Maharashtra is a state in India. It has its own culture and history.
Szabist University -: Szabist University is a school in Karachi where people go to learn, like a college or university in India.
Dr. Riaz Shaikh -: Dr. Riaz Shaikh is a person who talks about important issues, like how the government should do more to stop unfair killings.
Dr. Shahnawaz Kunbhar -: Dr. Shahnawaz Kunbhar is a person who was mentioned as an example of someone affected by blasphemy-related issues.
Sadia Baloch -: Sadia Baloch is a person who talked about how past fights and problems can lead to extremism today.
Noorul Huda Shah -: Noorul Huda Shah is a person who criticized the PPP government for not doing enough to stop extremism.
PPP government -: The PPP government refers to the Pakistan Peoples Party, a political party in Pakistan, similar to how we have different political parties in India.
Rumasa Javed -: Rumasa Javed is a person who talked about how important it is for judges and courts to do their job well to stop extremism.
Iqbal Detho -: Iqbal Detho is a person who emphasized that people should be held responsible for their actions to prevent extremism.
Shahnaz Wazir Ali -: Shahnaz Wazir Ali is a person who believes that young people can bring positive changes to stop extremism.
Civil resistance -: Civil resistance is when people peacefully protest or stand up against something they think is wrong, like how people in India have protested for various causes.
