What do Ansar Abbasi, the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII) and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have in common? Paranoia. It is a “mental condition characterized by delusions of persecution, unwarranted jealousy, or exaggerated self-importance.”
Mr Abbasi believes that the innocent children of our country are a victim of an evil design, which attempts to pollute their pure minds. And, how exactly does this plan unravel? By having NGOs impart sex education in schools. It may be different for everyone else in the world, but in Pakistan, teenagers think only of rainbows and puppies, until or unless, approached by perverted teachers who try to inform them about contraception and other similar nasty things, which must never be discussed.
The CII is afraid of everything that appears remotely “unislamic”. One of the ways it determines the ‘suitability’ of a certain thing is by checking whether it existed fourteen hundred years ago. Naturally, most fail the ‘test’. It’s refusal to allow DNA testing in rape cases and old age homes a few months ago highlights the predicament quite well. Say “test tube babies”, and be sure to witness the well-meaning members jump out of their skins. However, ‘nefarious designs of the enemies of Pakistan are responsible for sectarian violence’ will surely get nods from across the table.
The TTP is obviously more severely afflicted, but a manifestation of the same disease. They deem everyone who is not one of them to be an enemy, and part of a conspiracy against their sacred values such as subjugating women. But, it appears that when they don’t have anyone else to shoot and bomb, they find reasons to fight amongst themselves. Two groups of the TTP clashed in Peshawar Central Jail over Asar prayers. Each group wanted to pray collectively, but separately, and first. Negotiations didn’t work (take note federal government), and an all-out prison brawl ensured. Seven prisoners landed in the hospital. The police have successfully taken control of the situation…for now.
What is more troubling is that our policy-makers encourage this paranoia. Chief Minister, Shahbaz Sharif, has already instructed the civil administration to keep a look out for those who wish to make Pakistan “a free sex” society, as Mr Abbasi fears. A sex-free society must always remain the ultimate goal. The notification directs officers to curtail “indecent sex education”. So, what is decent sex education? Maybe, Mr Shahbaz Sharif can enlighten us. The world is moving on. It has shown us that it doesn’t plan to stand still and wait while we try to catch up. We must not support this regressive ideology, only so that Mr Abbasi et al can sleep better at night. And if we don’t have sex ed in schools as a norm, something to be spoken of without shame and threat of vulgar intent, we may only have more Mr Abbassi types to suffer in the future — heaven forbid. That alone is argument enough in favour of it.