Heresy is another word for freedom of thought

To an outsider, Pakistan’s perceptions of its own political history appears to be mired in a culture of ‘whataboutery’, denial and deflection. So it is encouraging to read the occasional piece by Pakistani political commentator Nadeem Paracha because he does not patronise his readers with yet another analysis of Pakistan’s sectarian unrest by putting the blame on Zionists and US drone attacks. When it comes to talking truth to power, Paracha seems less affected by the culture of denial that afflicts most of his peers.

Here’s Paracha reflecting on how the military and the orthodox religious establishment of Pakistan have contributed and cultivated the heady mixture of nationalism, political Islamic extremism and sectarianism that currently assails Pakistan:

Here’s a question: How come whenever there’s a drone attack (in which most of those killed generally are extremists), or a case of perceived obscenity or blasphemy surfaces, street corners are at once filled with burqa-clad women and bearded men chanting slogans like ‘Death to infidels’? But none of these fine, sensitive Muslims can be seen protesting when there’s an attack on innocent civilians – Ahmadis or others – by the extremists?