Home Media Reports 2004 Separate electoral rolls

18 February 2004

Wednesday

26 Zilhaj 1424

Separate electoral rolls

This refers to the news report “Separate rolls for Muslims, non-Muslim voters” (February 15).

The purpose of separate voting lists in the presence of a joint electorate is indeed mind-boggling. The military establishment appears to have given in to demands of the religio-political parties in pursuit of this worthless exercise promoting psychological segregation of citizens of Pakistan (who are supposed to be equal) into two groups: Muslims and Non-Muslims.

Even if we give the religio-political parties the benefit of the doubt and agree that this distinction may serve some higher purpose, the job appears to have been poorly and incompletely done.

The definition of ‘Muslim’ should not just include belief in the finality of the Prophet (PBUH) but also adherence to other equally important pillars of Islam, e.g. Zakat, Haj and prayers (these are missing from form IV).

MUBASHIR KHAN
Indianapolis, IN., USA

© The DAWN Group of Newspapers, 2004 Source: www.dawn.com/2004/02/18/letted.htm#7