The May 26 Israeli air strike on Rafah killed 45 people — most of whom were taking shelter in tents — and generated global outrage, including from some of Israel’s allies. In response to the criticism, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed that the attack was a “tragic accident”. The Pakistani media condemns the incident and terms the UN’s inaction as evidence of it having “outlived its utility”.
Dawn (May 29) says, “If the world is serious about stopping the butchery in Palestine, solid action is needed. Both the brave states that initiated legal action against Israel, as well as the courageous voices in the West condemning their governments for complicity in genocidal violence, must focus their energies on isolating Tel Aviv internationally.”
Express Tribune (May 30) comments on Israel’s diplomatic power saying, “Gaza and now Rafah are zones of barbarism, and there is nothing civil left in it… The aid-bridge to provide succour from the UN is at the mercy of Israel, and is inoperative, to say the least.”
Pakistan’s ‘day of greatness’
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, on Monday, announced that the next day, May 28 (Tuesday) will be a public holiday on account of the anniversary of Pakistan’s first successful public nuclear tests that made “the country’s defence invincible” (PM House statement). On that day in 1998, it conducted nuclear tests in the hills of Chagai, Balochistan. While there is largely a congratulatory mood around this “day of greatness” (Youm-i-Takbeer), some point out the dangers of late-notified public holidays.
The Nation (May 28) believes that “with a belligerent India on our east and global superpowers intervening near our western borders, this nuclear deterrence became indispensable in preserving our sovereignty.”
On the other hand, Dawn (May 29) says, “While it is important to honour national milestones, this can be done without causing disruptions.” Pointing out the economic costs of such delayed notifications of public holidays, it notes, “Manufacturing is halted, banking remains shut, trade and retail sectors close their doors, and the entire machinery of daily life grinds to a halt. For a country grappling with economic challenges, each productive day is invaluable.”
Mob vigilantism
In the latest incident of mob vigilantism, a 70-year-old Christian man in Sargodha (Punjab) who was accused of consecrating the Quran — setting some of its pages on fire — was brutally attacked by a mob who entered his house, damaged and stole his belongings, and set his son’s shoe factory on fire. Two Christian families had to be rescued by the police. There has been justifiable outrage about it both domestically and internationally with the Christian community taking to the streets to protest.
News International (May 29) lays the blame on “a dangerous cocktail of extremist thinking, political opportunism, and societal unrest.” Drawing attention to the state’s role in such instances, it says, “The roots of such mob violence, it must be remembered, cannot just be explained away as religious zealotry. They are nourished by a culture of impunity, where perpetrators believe they can act with impunity.”
The Nation (May 31) comments on the Council of Islamic Ideology’s (CII) response to this mob attack. It observes the “attempt to stay balanced in its outlook” by the council saying “that blasphemy might have taken place and that both sides need to be punished.” The editorial, however, believes that “CII needs to be careful in its formulations… Seeking to please both sides will only cause further confusion and confrontation.”
Girls’ school set on fire
According to reports, attacks on girls’ schools in Waziristan have increased considerably with three just in May. Most recently, in the Razmak tehsil of North Waziristan district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, unidentified attackers entered the Golden Arrow Girls Middle School and set it on fire. Unfortunately, this ties in with Pakistan’s ranking on the Global Gender Gap Report 2023 where it stands 142nd out of 146 countries on the scale of gender equality. The media has underlined the need to empower women and ensure their access to education safely.
Express Tribune (May 30) believes that “Equal access to quality education must be ensured for women and girls… Enhancing labour force participation and wage equality for women is also critical to mending the gender gap in the country.”
Daily Times (May 31) says, “These despicable activities not only deprive young girls of their right to education but also perpetuates a cycle of violence and ignorance in the region.” The editorial, “call(s) upon the government, civil society, and the international community to redouble their efforts to protect educational institutions, particularly those catering to marginalised and vulnerable populations.”
adya.goyal@expressindia.com
