Pakistan: ''Ashamed, I am''

Letter Published in The Express Tribune

BY:Masood Khan

I feel quite ashamed and sad that Malala Yousufzai had to ask authorities in Pakistan to reverse a decision to rename a girls’ college in Swat after her. She had to do this after that particular college’s female students protested against the name change. According to reports, some of the students were apprehensive that the Taliban may target their institution following the name change. At a time when the rest of the world is united in its support for the cause for which Malala was targeted, we are unable to even make a ceremonial gesture. We are also unable to protect our brave health workers who risk their lives to protect our children, who are our future. What was the fault of 14-year-old Farzana who was shot dead at point-blank range the other day in Peshawar when she was coming out of a house after administering polio drops? Her assailants were successful in their aim as the anti-polio campaign has now been suspended across the country. It clearly shows the retreat of the state in the face of extremism and militancy. Yesterday it was Malala, today it’s Farzana, and tomorrow it will be someone else. This will go on and on unless we stand up and make ourselves heard by calling a spade a spade.