THE state finally seems to have woken up from its slumber and, alarmed by the threats made against the country’s top judge, has initiated action against the suspects.

On Monday, several federal ministers denounced the shocking threats made against the chief justice by clerics belonging to the TLP, and promised that such incitement to violence would not be allowed. The controversy stems from the recent Supreme Court judgement in the Mubarak Sani case, which has been misinterpreted by extremist elements to forward their dangerous agenda. On a deeper level, aside from the deplorable threat, the matter reflects the existential danger extremist forces pose to the nation, and the weakness of the state before these outfits. At least two TLP men have reportedly been held; hundreds more have been booked for inciting violence.

The reason that Pakistan stands at this perilous juncture today is that for decades, the state has pursued suicidal policies where extremist groups are concerned. Those at the helm have either looked away as jihadi, sectarian and extremist groups have proliferated, or in some cases have actively encouraged such violent outfits. Arguably, in no other Muslim country are vigilantes and extremists allowed such freedom to operate. But in Pakistan, these outfits can effectively blackmail the state, and issue death warrants against the highest officials of the land. The state either meekly asks them to desist, or takes belated action after these groups cross ‘red lines’.

On the other hand, protests by political parties or marginalised groups are met with the full force of the law. Unless firm action is taken against extremist groups — as envisioned under the National Action Plan — the day may not be too distant when these outfits have the power to set the nation alight, using emotive slogans to misguide radicalised sections of the populace.

The state’s primary responsibility here is to bring all those responsible for incitement to deadly violence to justice, and in the long term shut down the outfits fuelling extremism in society. Making one or two arrests is not enough; wider action is needed. Moreover, security for the chief justice should be beefed up.

The ulema also have a major responsibility to restore sanity. Though the Council of Islamic Ideology has condemned the death threats, established scholars, particularly those belonging to the Barelvi school, need to denounce such violent vigilantism. There is religious and legal consensus about the finality of prophethood. Therefore, semi-literate clerics cannot be allowed to exploit this sensitive issue and create further anarchy in society.

The nation has lost Salmaan Taseer and countless others to assassins and raging mobs motivated by spurious accusations of blasphemy. Unless those who actually control the levers of state act with alacrity, the forces of darkness may be further emboldened.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2024