The killing of Siaz Khan, a resident of Nazar Shah Akhund Khel in Bannu district, has once again raised serious questions about the so-called religious justification used by Khwarij to terrorize innocent people and target those associated with Pakistan’s law enforcement and local peace committees.
Siaz Khan, son of Raz, was allegedly abducted by Taliban terrorists around 10 days ago from the jurisdiction of Merian Police Station. His body was recovered on Friday, bringing a tragic end to his abduction.
According to available information, his only alleged offence was his friendship with a police officer and Muslim Khan, a member of the police peace committee, and his attendance at their engagement ceremony.
His abduction and killing have exposed the contradiction between the Khwarij’s claims of jihad and Sharia and their treatment of ordinary civilians. Targeting an unarmed individual merely because of his personal associations and participation in a family ceremony raises fundamental questions about the religious justification these terrorists invoke for their violence.
The incident has also challenged those social media activists who have repeatedly accused police peace committees of wrongdoing and demanded evidence against their members. The question now is whether they will demonstrate the same willingness to question the Khwarij over the killing of an innocent young man.
Will those who were quick to raise allegations against people standing alongside law enforcement now speak out against the terrorists responsible for such brutality? Or will their voices fall silent when the victims are ordinary civilians targeted by the Khwarij?
Standing up for peace and supporting local security efforts should not invite accusations, intimidation or violence. Yet remaining silent over the murder of innocent people while repeatedly questioning those working for peace raises an equally important question about selective outrage.
