Punjab police, traders accused of racial profiling

[Mian]

LAHORE: Punjab police and trade unions have been accused of racial profiling for asking Pashtun residents and shopkeepers to submit details and particulars of their stay and businesses in the province.

“All respected Pashtun members are informed that intelligence officers of the Government of Punjab visited our office and asked us to submit data of all the Pasthun members who are directly or indirectly linked with the market, to respective police stations,” says a notice issued by Anjuman-e-Tajiran Bilal Market, Lahore this week.

“It is, therefore, advised to all Pashtun brethrens to submit their photographs, copy of CNICs and visiting cards to union office within the next 48 hours” the notice said.

The union warned that it would not be responsible if any legal action was taken against Pashtuns who failed to comply with the notice

A second traders union of Lahore has called for Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah and police officials to take action against non-Punjabi people selling dry fruits and sun glasses in the market.

Earlier this week, a notice issued by Mandi Bahauddin police asked residents to remain vigilant and keep an eye on Pathans and non-Punjabis. – SAMAA

https://www.samaa.tv/pakistan/2017/02/punjab-police-traders-accused-of-racial-profiling/

Just read these 2 notices (urdu). It looks like we don't need enemies from outside because we are smart enough to create enemies within the country with these stupid moves.

 

[Rayyman]

Even Yasir, Rizwan and Zaman (Pathans) are playing for Lahore.

 

[Mian]

I also saw police on check posts focusing more on Pathans.

 

[Mian]

Even Yasir, Rizwan and Zaman (Pathans) are playing for Lahore.

Many Pathan live in Punjab and are part of running big markets these stupid moves will only create more issues instead of solving any

 

[SpiritOf1903]

God knows how Punjab would've coped without partition. ..

 

[Moiza]

India aur America are behind this too.

 

[Pakpak]

Ridiculous, despise this ethnic nonsense.

 

[Azzurri]

Ridiculous and rubbish

 

[Slog]

Punjab is generally not open to outsiders.

I guess understandable because it's homogenous

 

[miandadrules]

Pathetic!

And what's worse is this will have a significant amount of support.

 

[Syed1]

May I remind PP'ers that Shahbaz Sharif is on record of having said to the Taliban to attack the rest of Pakistan but spare his beloved Punjab.

What else would you expect if you have Nooras ruling the roost.

 

[PakLFC]

Pakistani Pathans have done so much for Pakistan perhaps more then any other community. They are the backbone of the country much like how many Indian's feel about their Sikh's. Pak Pathans are not to be confused with ungrateful Afghan's for even a second. It is our own politicians who are creating a mess by racially profiling them. Pak Pathans should be free to live and visit anywhere in Pakistan.

 

[Saeed]

"Those Who Do Not Learn History Are Doomed To Repeat It." So true. It is important to learn from history, referring to Bangladesh here. Pakistan mistreated Bangla people and they demanded independence. This is why nations should teach the younger generation about non propoganda version of history.

 

[Ellipsism]

Can someone please translate.

 

[thelandofthebravepeople]

Pakhtuns will never learn.

 

[Stallion__]

Interior Punjab in particular just can't get out of parochialism and local politicians exploit it to maximum extent.

However, the second notice is not official. There is no official stamp or signature on it (plus the crude wording).

 

[WebGuru]

So what if tomorrow KP govt/police or markets of KP issue notices like this about Punjabis? Punjabi Taliban, LeJ, SSP, Punjabi Suicide Attackers etc are also reality.

I am a Punjabi and i hate to admit but Punjabis (not all) are more racist thn people from KP, Karachi/Sindh.

 

[Madplayer]

This is how a country destroys itself.

Kill this idea before it lays anymore eggs.

 

[WebGuru]

Remember there was a ban by Punjab and Sindh govts on internally displaced persons (IDPs) to prevent them from entering these provinces during North Waziristan operation? KP welcomed more thn a million of those IDPs from FATA. We shouldn't forget the sacrifice of our Pathan brother during this War on Terror they suffered most and still never complained.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

So who is responsible for posting these notices? Has there been any official response?

 

[WebGuru]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I strongly condemn the racial profiling of Pushtuns in Punjab. This will create hatred & inadvertently play into the hands of terrorists.</p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/835130166875652096">February 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Targeting Pashtuns on ethnic grounds will weaken the federation & will have dire consequences. Pashtuns are peace loving & not terrorists.</p>— Mian Iftikhar Husain (@mianiftikharhus) <a href="https://twitter.com/mianiftikharhus/status/834331869294497792">February 22, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-cards="hidden" data-lang="en"><p lang="hi" dir="ltr">Sharam ani chahiye. Yeh mulk mein dahshat gardee rok rahey hain ya mulk taqseem karney ki koshish kar rahey hain <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MeinBheePukhtoonHoon?src=hash">#MeinBheePukhtoonHoon</a> <a href="https://t.co/q0TU66ZnwH">pic.twitter.com/q0TU66ZnwH</a></p>— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) <a href="https://twitter.com/Asad_Umar/status/835471562610470912">February 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pashtuns are large hearted people, tolerate and enjoy all the humiliating jokes about them,proud of their language,culture,traditions,Riwaj</p>— Asad Munir (@asadmunir38) <a href="https://twitter.com/asadmunir38/status/834779066679062529">February 23, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[WebGuru]

So who is responsible for posting these notices? Has there been any official response?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Market association in Lahore asks all Pathan shopkeepers to provide details as per instruction of Punjab Govt<br><br> <a href="https://t.co/mAGUPLUvYm">pic.twitter.com/mAGUPLUvYm</a></p>— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) <a href="https://twitter.com/omar_quraishi/status/835414278064701440">February 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[WebGuru]

Punjab govt denies racial profiling despite evidence

Following recent notices by a police station in Mandi Bahauddin and some traders in Bilal Ganj, Lahore, that went viral for racially profiling Pashtuns, the government of Punjab has responded to the furore and denied that any racial profiling is taking place.

Despite the police station in question and the office of the inspector general of the Punjab police both confirming the directives when contacted, they later denied any such policy.


Source: http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2017/02/25/punjab-govt-denies-racial-profiling-despite-evidence/

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Pretty typical of the Punjab govt to evade responsibility and lie about it rather than either justify it or apologise for it. Appalling.

 

[Adil_94]

[MENTION=46929]shaz619[/MENTION] but i thought all Pakistanis in Pakistan were equal first class citizens and never faced ethnic and racial discrimination.

 

[shaz619]

[MENTION=46929]shaz619[/MENTION] but i thought all Pakistanis in Pakistan were equal first class citizens and never faced ethnic and racial discrimination.

They don't, King Ibn [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] al habibi is treated very well; he speaks on behalf of every pathan in Pakistan

 

[Mamoon]

[MENTION=46929]shaz619[/MENTION] but i thought all Pakistanis in Pakistan were equal first class citizens and never faced ethnic and racial discrimination.

They don't, King Ibn [MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] al habibi is treated very well; he speaks on behalf of every pathan in Pakistan

Who said ethnic/racial discrimination doesn't exist in Pakistan? The point is that it is not analogous to life as an expat in the West. It is a completely different situation and context. My only issue was establishing a comparison between the two, I never denied that their is discrimination in Pakistan.

 

[WebGuru]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Getting more reports of Pushtun communities being harassed by Punjab police. This is creating huge resentment & divisiveness in our polity</p>— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ImranKhanPTI/status/836114628602179584">February 27, 2017</a></blockquote>
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[JaDed]

Dont know if i didnt notice it or what first time seeing 'Polity' used in a tweet.

 

[hussain123]

Has the provincial govt lost their marbles or what?this step can have existential consequences on pak in the long run.that is why democracy is never a good idea in the context of pakistan as it will invariably lead to ethno regional chauvinism.a secular military dictatorship ia still miles better than the existing democracy practised in pakistan.

 

[Mian]

Has the provincial govt lost their marbles or what?this step can have existential consequences on pak in the long run.that is why democracy is never a good idea in the context of pakistan as it will invariably lead to ethno regional chauvinism.a secular military dictatorship ia still miles better than the existing democracy practised in pakistan.

This same Punjab govt and same CM Shehbaz Sharif once asked Taliban to please don't attack Punjab we are your brothers (Punjabis are more important than rest of Pakistanis). Punjab also closed the border on Pathan refugees from FATA a few years ago so they settled in KPK province when Pakistan army was doing operation in FATA.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Disgusting. Punjab police and politicians are the most corrupt in the world.

 

[DW44]

Accused? Given the evidence on offer, they're guilty of it beyond any reasonable doubt.

 

[JaDed]

Has the provincial govt lost their marbles or what?this step can have existential consequences on pak in the long run.that is why democracy is never a good idea in the context of pakistan as it will invariably lead to ethno regional chauvinism.a secular military dictatorship ia still miles better than the existing democracy practised in pakistan.

A System is supposed to correct itself with the help of civil institutions ,there are no messiahs there are only Systems which make a country.

 

[Mamoon]

The letters are proving to be fake. It's a concerted attempt and a propaganda to divide us, but thankfully it's getting exposed.

Obviously it's another occasion for the opportunists in PTI to add fuel to fire so no surprises there.

The timing is also off; seems like the Afghan lobby (ANP etc.) in Pakistan is in full force after the crackdown on Afghanistan.

 

[Mamoon]

 

[Pakpak]

The letters are proving to be fake. It's a concerted attempt and a propaganda to divide us, but thankfully it's getting exposed.

Obviously it's another occasion for the opportunists in PTI to add fuel to fire so no surprises there.

The timing is also off; seems like the Afghan lobby (ANP etc.) in Pakistan is in full force after the crackdown on Afghanistan.

So if people say they're fake they will be labelled as conspiracy theorists and accused of being anti-Pakhtun again.

If they say its real then opportunists?

 

[Mamoon]

So if people say they're fake they will be labelled as conspiracy theorists and accused of being anti-Pakhtun again.

If they say its real then opportunists?

I don't blame Imran and others for capitalizing on this particular issue and neither am I surprised, anyone in their position would have done so.

 

[Pakpak]

I don't blame Imran and others for capitalizing on this particular issue and neither am I surprised, anyone in their position would have done so.

Forget him, I am talking about rest of us who you labelled as opportunists. Let's face it, and I speak as a Punjabi, the divisive tactics used by this Punjabi government i.e. Punjab first, noone would have been surprised has this been true.

 

[WebGuru]

The letters are proving to be fake. It's a concerted attempt and a propaganda to divide us, but thankfully it's getting exposed.

Despite the police station in question and the office of the inspector general of the Punjab police both confirming the directives when contacted, they later denied any such policy.

Source: http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2017...pite-evidence/

 

[Mamoon]

This is a propaganda; a conspiracy. No doubt there is ethnic racism in Pakistan, but this is simply the retaliation of the pro-Afghan lobby.

 

[Pakpak]

This is a propaganda; a conspiracy. No doubt there is ethnic racism in Pakistan, but this is simply the retaliation of the pro-Afghan lobby.

While I don't doubt it, a lot of people will dismiss it as a conspiracy. And had any of us, non-Pakhtuns, said it then we'd been labelled racist.

 

[Mamoon]

There is absolutely no doubt that PML-N has more than just a tendency for divisive politics, but as a Pashtun, I will assert that some of this anti-Pashtun ideology is overblown. We obviously didn't help ourselves by voting for MMA in 2002, and then ANP simply took this sentiment to the next level.

In addition, the Pashtun nationalist parties have an attachment with Pashtuns of Afghanistan, but Afghan Pashtuns have none. They are only after our land of KP, FATA and parts of Balochistan. Like them, many of our Pashtun nationalist parties like ANP and Mahmood Achakzai's PkMAP don't either.

It is no secret that Bacha Khan opposed Pakistan and there was a movement for Pashtunistan too in the 1950s-60s, backed by Kabul. Pakistan was a new and unstable state and Afghanistan tried its best to destabilize it further, but obviously it failed.

Furthermore, people of NWFP voted for Pakistan over India in 1947 referendum and have integrated well in Pakistan. After Punjabis, they are the most dominant ethnic group in education and civil/military service. Punjabis of course will always be dominant because they make 60% of Pakistan's population. Pashtunistan is a dead horse and no one buys ANP's racist ethnic-political ideology anymore.

They are surviving only on their anti-terrorism stance and ethnic politics. With 2018 polls approaching and no hope of ANP's return to power in KP, they have started playing the ethnic card again. There may have been a few cases of racial profiling against Pashtuns in Punjab, but a lot of what we are seeing on social media is hyped up, false propaganda.

 

[hussain123]

A System is supposed to correct itself with the help of civil institutions ,there are no messiahs there are only Systems which make a country.

Right there.but if a system in its essence is augmenting ethno regional divisions and threatening the very existence of the state then it better be done away with.

 

[JaDed]

Right there.but if a system in its essence is augmenting ethno regional divisions and threatening the very existence of the state then it better be done away with.

That's like saying ban cricket because cricketers fix ,the issue needs to be dealt with and system should evolve.This notice isn't the representation of the whole Punjab just a few,and sane minds in KPK will understand that as well.