In a divided society like ours, peacemakers have their task cut out for them. A recent case of conflict resolution in Sahiwal could teach them how to go about it.

A Christian boy and a Muslim girl, living in the same neighbourhood and belonging to the same clan, fell in love and ran away because the girl’s family, that had recently converted to Islam, were opposed to their marriage. In these volatile times this is nothing short of incendiary and violence appeared imminent as news of their elopement spread. While the elders of the clan to which the two families belonged tried to find a solution, reports started circulating that members of the Muslim community living in nearby towns and villages were poised to attack the predominantly Christian neighbourhood.

But violence was avoided as law-enforcement agencies cordoned off the area before the potential attackers could make their way in, and local activists helped defuse tensions before anyone could play on religious differences to incite trouble. A prominent local politician sat the two families together and convinced them that they needed to resolve the issue without involving their respective religious communities. The following day, he got together a local Muslim prayer leader, a Christian priest and some civil society activists. Together they declared that they would not allow a religion-based dispute to erupt. At the end of the day, the girl went back to her parents and the boy to his family, assured that he would not be harmed.

The idea to bring together the city administration, local politicians, religious activists and civil society representatives certainly proved effective. Whether the current situation will last depends on these peacemakers being able to keep their alliance intact. They should know that only trouble-mongers will benefit from any chink in their collective armour.