I DO feel quite ashamed and sad that Malala Yousufzai had to call the authorities in Pakistan, requesting to reverse their decision to name a girls’ college after her in her hometown.

Why? This was because students of that particular college had been protesting for the last few weeks against this proposal. Apparently, the college girls were afraid of the Taliban in the vicinity who may target their institute in revenge. They have already targeted the residence of the other girl who was injured along with Malala.

At a time when the rest of the world is united in its resolve to support the cause for which Malala was targeted by the dark forces of the mediaeval times, we, the citizens of her country, are unable to even make a ceremonial gesture.

We are unable to protect the other angels, the health workers, who are risking their lives to protect the future of Pakistan. What was the fault of 14-year-old Farzana who was shot dead point-blank 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 deferred across the country.

It clearly shows the retreat of the state in the face of diehard brutal terrorists who are not ready to budge even an inch on their misguided deviant ideology. Yesterday it was Malala, a girls’ education activist, today it is Farzana, tomorrow could be an officer or industry worker as these people are not ready to come out of tribal clout.

This will go on for ever unless we the citizens of Pakistan, the civil society, political and religious leadership, judiciary, armed forces and the media get ready to take the responsibility for this mayhem and are willing to divorce these co-religious brethren who are a black spot on our society’s face.

MASOOD KHAN Jubail, Saudi Arabia