In the previous session we talked about freedom of speech. Pakistan is a democratic nation or at least it is supposed to be. Freedom of speech is a fundamental aspect of a democracy. Where is our freedom of speech when we cannot even hold talks over the current situation in Balochistan. Yes, i do believe there should exist some form of limitation in consideration of our freedom of speech but is Balochistan the extent to which the boundaries exist. Should we fear for our lives if we stand up against the injustice being committed towards the people we supposedly share an identity with. Aren’t we a nation state? Are we only nationalists when deemed appropriate by the forces of the army and the government. Are we not nationalists when the people of our nation are subjected to an injustice that i do not even know much about because of the lack of information that is present. And when the wall of limited information is breached by people such as Sabeen Mahmud, they are silenced, no, they are forever silenced.
Last year, educational institutions around Pakistan received a letter from the Higher Education Commision (HEC) demanding that critical analysis via talks and sessions over the Pakistan's national history be stopped. The letter explicitly asked for the stoppage of challenging Pakistan’s national ideology. Again, is this the extent to which we are allowed freedom of speech. If this really is the boundary then i am afraid that the democratic form of government we are living under is really just a fascist form of government that prides itself over the creation of a false history, a false nation and a false identity that we are supposed to accept and to accept as “Sheeps”.
4 comments:
Pakistan gained independence in 1947, but it seems 'independence' in its true form has been taken away from us. People are gone missing, people who talk about gone people go missing, people who talk about missing people are silenced by threats like 'or else'. The Baluchistan issue is grave and it is a gruesome tragedy that it is happening in our own nation state.
Pakistan gained independence in 1947, but it seems 'independence' in its true form has been taken away from us. People are gone missing, people who talk about gone people go missing, people who talk about missing people are silenced by threats like 'or else'. The Baluchistan issue is grave and it is a gruesome tragedy that it is happening in our own nation state.
Unfortunately, we are taught what the authorities want to teach us, we are fed with the news, which the media wants to feed us. What is behind the mirror and what is the reality, we are not made aware of it. If we dare to speak against it, or not even against it, just give our general verdict on it, we'd be considered as traitors and someone will silence us just as that poor lady. It is better to clear conflicts rather than suppressing them.
The last session sir also mentioned how he particularly felt about the suppressed nature of freedom of speech in Pakistan and said that in fear for his life he wouldn't write anything about the situation to educate the people on how we are being silenced. Honestly i absolutely agree with him, if he were to stand up and raise the issue, if any of us were to stand up and raise the issue, we would just end up another silenced Sabeen Mahmud.
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