Extremism and mainstream Pakistan
Illustration by Faraz Aamer Khan
“You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the State.” - Excerpt from Jinnah’s inaugural address to the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan, August 11, 1947.
Perhaps the first fatal blow to Jinnah’s vision of a secular and progressive Pakistan was delivered in 1956, when – capitulating to the demands of religious hardliners – the country was officially declared an Islamic Republic. Some argue that the irreversible slide toward extremism truly began when Prime Minister Zulfiqar Bhutto adopted measures in the 1973 constitution to formalise the role of religion in government. This included declaring Islam the state religion, banning un-Islamic activities (alcohol consumption, gambling, etc), and officially branding the minority Ahmadiyya sect as non-Muslims – paving the way for state sanctioned discrimination against minorities.
Yet others squarely lay the blame on General Zia Ul Haq, who launched an aggressive campaign to promote a Wahabi-inspired strain of Islam in Pakistan by establishing an extensive network of madrassas, introducing Sharia-inspired laws, and injecting religious ideology into virtually every aspect of public life. At this point in Pakistan’s existence, assigning blame is irrelevant. Those responsible for laying the foundation are long gone, what remains is a legacy of rabid extremism, intolerance, and bigotry that has rapidly spread through Pakistani society like a cancer.
This is not to suggest that average Pakistanis actively embrace or advocate violent extremism. However, average Pakistanis do often relate to, justify, and refuse to unconditionally condemn the ideologies driving violent extremism – even when it directly impacts their lives in the form of suicide bombings or militant attacks. This accommodation of the extremist mindset creates political space and a favourable environment for radical groups to thrive in.
Consider the issue of domestic terrorism for example. Most Pakistani’s are convinced that the root cause of terrorism in their country is the US occupation of Afghanistan. Devastating militant attacks are routinely blamed on ‘foreign powers’ trying to destabilise the country – despite the fact that homegrown militants, such as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, brazenly claim responsibility for these attacks. Yet, in public discourse few commentators are willing to unconditionally condemn extremism or accept the fact that militant groups are a direct result of decades of state policy, which tolerated and in some cases cultivated the establishment and proliferation of such groups.
Also swept aside are controversial issues such as the need to regulate madrassas – many of which are affiliated with extremist groups and produce an endless supply of foot soldiers – or to abolish the draconian blasphemy laws, which are often used to persecute minorities. There seems to be no appetite to tackle ground realities that allow extremism and militancy to flourish in the country, either in government or among the general population. Instead, each new terrorist attack brings a fresh round of reactionary rhetoric blaming ‘outside forces’ and stirring up increasingly outrageous conspiracy theories.
The Malala Yousafzai incident was somewhat of an exception. However, the familiar pattern of deflecting blame and accommodating extremists emerged even after this barbaric crime. While many Pakistani’s expressed outrage over the heinous attack, a number of major political parties, such as Nawaz Sharif’s PML-N and Imran Khan’s PTI joined hands with religious hardliners and tried to link Malala’s shooting to the issue of US drone strikes. Predictably, a number of convoluted conspiracy theories materialized as well, claiming that the incident was orchestrated by foreign powers to push Pakistan into launching a military operation in North Waziristan.
By tolerating and often succumbing to fanatics, Pakistan has unwittingly allowed extremist ideologies to become publicly acceptable, to the point where religion can be used to justify the most heinous acts, with little or no consequences. The fact that the state has repeatedly relied on militant groups as proxies has further strengthened their influence and position in the country.
The assassination of Punjab governor, Salman Taseer, in January 2011 is a case in point. Taseer was shot by one of his police guards for speaking out against the blasphemy laws and standing up for a Christian woman who had been sentenced to death on blasphemy charges. He was the only high profile politician to speak out so forcefully on the issue and he paid for it with his life.
Public reaction and the series of events following Taseer’s assassination were disturbing to say the least. Prominent media anchors questioned whether the slain governor had crossed a line by criticizing the blasphemy laws, an issue deemed ‘sensitive’ by millions of Pakistanis. Many clerics and hardliners accused Taseer of being a heretic, heaped praise on his assassin, and instructed observant Muslims not to offer funeral prayers for him. When the governor’s killer was produced in court, hundreds of people including lawyers and religious party workers showed up in his support and showered him with rose petals. Dozens of lawyers also offered to defend the assassin for free.
Hardly any politicians, including those from the ruling PPP (the party Taseer belonged to), dared to forcefully condemn the killer or speak out against the assassination in any meaningful way. Further highlighting Taseer’s isolation, President Asif Zardari – a close friend – did not attend the funeral due to security concerns.
Sadly, incidents of violent extremism and the distorted ideologies that drive them have continued to flourish following the governor’s assassination. Persecution of minorities under the blasphemy laws, cold-blooded executions of Shia Muslims, desecration of Ahmadiyya mosques, and gruesome attacks at public venues have literally become an everyday occurrence in Pakistan.
Another case that illustrates the extent of depravity that has become acceptable in the name of religion is that of Rimsha Masih. Rimsha, a minor Christian girl with Down’s syndrome was arrested in August after a neighbor accused her of burning Islamic texts. Following her arrest, the police station that she was held in was surrounded by an angry mob, which demanded that Rimsha be handed over to them. Reportedly, the mob wanted justice by setting her on fire. While the charges against Rimsha were recently dropped, her family remains in hiding due to safety concerns and it’s unlikely that they will be able to resume a normal life in Pakistan.
Just a few weeks later, an enraged mob attacked and ransacked a girls’ school in Lahore – Pakistan’s second largest city – because a teacher had allegedly included blasphemous content in a homework assignment. While the accused teacher fled and went into hiding, the school’s principal was arrested on blasphemy charges. As outrageous as this incident seems, the list of similar occurrences unfortunately goes on and on.
Some might argue that the above mentioned examples do not reflect the beliefs and actions of average Pakistanis; instead they are simply the work of fanatics representing a fringe minority. While this might be partly true, I’ll point back to my previous assertion and the crux of this article: while most Pakistani’s do not actively embrace violent extremism, they do act as enablers by tolerating, accepting, and sometimes supporting increasingly radical ideologies.
The Pakistani state and public both play their respective roles in creating an environment where extremists can freely operate and thrive. By bowing down every time a radical group or individual uses Islam to justify a barbaric act, or deflecting blame to some obscure foreign power, Pakistanis send a clear message to extremists: there is no accountability for even the most outrageous acts carried out under the guise of religion.
The consequences of this acquiescence are not limited to Pakistan; they have serious implications for the international community as well – particularly the US-led alliance in Afghanistan. Faced with widespread anti-US sentiment and deeply-entrenched extremist narratives, it is increasingly difficult for the Pakistani government to cooperate with America on crucial issues. Doing so ensures being labeled an ‘American puppet’ in the court of public opinion and serves to further strengthen extremists.
Perhaps even more worrying is the fact that the Pakistan army, which generally steers foreign policy and dominates national security issues, is also bound by these emerging red lines. Once seen as the only unassailable institution in the country, the army’s reputation has been badly bruised by domestic terror attacks and US operations on Pakistani soil.
Further complicating the situation is the growing resentment and ideological influence among junior officers and enlisted soldiers, many of who believe that their leaders have sold out to the West. This of course puts the army’s top brass in a precarious situation, where they can’t be seen as collaborating too closely with the West or being too harsh on radical elements. Of course, volumes can be written about the army’s role in creating this mess in the first place.
There are no simple solutions for stemming the growth and proliferation of extremism in Pakistan. Sweeping economic, social, and education reforms would be needed to root out the deeply entrenched radical mindset that afflicts large chunks of the population. It would take decades of persistent, well-crafted policies to achieve this goal. Unfortunately, the kind of strong, visionary leadership that would be needed to carry out such change is nowhere to be seen in Pakistan’s political landscape. For now, it seems that the drift toward extremism will continue unabated.
The writer is a communications consultant based in Washington DC. He can be reached by email at wasif.kh@gmail.com
The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
Pakistan is failed nation while its bigger neighbour India is thriving, economically vibrant democarcy. Is it the culture and religion at play here. Is Islam and Islamic belief root cause? What should we do about it then?
I agree.
Excellent analysis. We can see that when religion overtakes nominal human values, this kind of incurable heartless society will emerge and Pakistan is the best example. This is time for introspection and decision for incorporating values required for creating a good culture, which shall lead to creation of a good society removing all the ills being faced.
Pakistan badly needs an Anna Hazare at this time.
If Jinnah meant what he said , what was the need to create Pakistan?
Read from New York Times
Wasif Khan has fled Pakistan and criticizes its weaknesses and problems from Washington D.C. What a stalwart !!! I respect those Pakistanis who are in Pakistan and trying to change it for the better. Wasif Khan is not one of them.
i guess who critisize ends up like Taseer. if ou wont let people discuss and fix the policies, who would bother to stay and then speak up.
the worst form of terrorism is financial corruption done by corrupt polticians. It leads to poverty, inflation, injustice, thirst and hunger amongst the masses, which is an ideal medium for a society to become polarized, leading to extremism. Solkution to all of this is having an honest PM like Imran Khan at the helm of affiars, which would lead to good governance, investment in people, and resolution of the problems faced by the masses. This would then then allow people to be brought into the mainstream and would make a medium for less extremism and less polarization of society.
This article, though written with good intent, tries to blame the nation’s political system et al for the behavior of the individuals. The average Pakistani holds highly extreme views, indoctrained from birth to hate. This can easily cross into violence or abetment or encouragement of violence in the right circumstance. Take them out of their surrounding, they become the most amiable of people.
Pakistan is at a crossroad where masses have to choose between either they force the powerhouses where ever they maybe to:
1- Undo whatever has been done in the name of religion. Starting with, as you put it “First fatal blow to Jinnah’s vision of a secular and progressive Pakistan was delivered in 1956, when – capitulating to the demands of religious hardliners – the country was officially declared an Islamic Republic.”
OR
2- Pakistan, a unit as it appears now, will be a history!
Solution is in front of us , but people need to follow it .Just go back to 1947 or 1950 . Close down all Madrasas , build schools with scientific education . Ban religious organizations . Encourage minorities to in crease their number , so that they can be used as buffer or shield against extremism. Give rights to females, unlike any Islamic society . Remove ban from alcohol , bars , pubs or gambling or prostitution(restricted one) . Declare it a democratic republic of pak , no involvement of religion . Lastly don’t forget you are nor arabs , your history is different.
BRAVO!!!! Wasif. For enlightened, fearleess and truthful narrative of Pakistan.
” All devil needs to succeed is for the good people to look the other way, keep quiet in the face of injustice.”
Pakistan is a poster child for it. Thanks for exposing it for what it is, what it has become.
I BLAME my sel, all politicans and middle class Pakistanis who carry on sleeping well at night after wittnessing these sensless, brutal deaths of other Pakistanis committed by soulless beasts in the name of ISLAM. Future Generations will one day ask: Despite having education, power, finance why could not all of us combine to STOP this?
The very fact that people like the writer have emerged in Pakistan means that time for better days for all is round the corner. I pray from the bottom of my heart for greater peace, prosperity and well being all all my brethren in Pakistan
my ancestors wanted to move there but i am happy that they stayed here in secular India.
The Nation is in tatters because the awaam is not willing to acknowledge that those who sully the Islamic religion in the name of whatever terrorist outfit they are a part of, and who claim they are the bearers of the true, right Islam back into the nation, are actually the ones who have betrayed this religion the most. The awaam believes that these “fighters of Islam” with their long beards, their guns, their medieval clothes, and their completely caveman ideas, are actually propagators of “real islam, true Islam” and give in to the idea that being human, having love for others irrespective of their skin colour, creed etc, and doing good for all, and ensuring well being and education for all children(girls and boys – education, polio drops etc) are NOT actually good things !!!
This is the craziness which has allowed an inhuman misled and frankly speaking, illiterate bunch of frustrated medievalists, into the mainstream and pushed the so called moderates out !!!!!
Too much of religion, sirs, in public life, IS A BANE and is slowly killing a nation which once stood for openness and progressive values.
Rubbishing anything beyond those who follow a blinkered view of a religion has become a norm and more and more people believe that piety and good values of life start from the barrel of an Islamist Warriors Gun and beard.
If you want to have an impact on Pakistanis, think about writing such pieces in Urdu. The vast majority cannot read the analysis you have here and it would be very beneficial if they did.
No one understands the true message of Islam. Unfortunately in Pakistan it is used as tool for own gains. Our political leaders especially representing Islamic parties have brought enough danger to Pakistan. Rather it would be more pertinent to say Islam is threatened from Pakistan.
Pakistan will soon be back on track to military. It will take another decade to come back to democracy.
The nation will be in perpetual motion between civilian to military rule
Well written article. Wasif analysis is accurate. Lets hope some Pakistani leader will implement his solution and steer Pakistan out from this mess. It is good for Pakistan and India. We, Indians want a strong progressive Pakistan.
It seems the further we move away from India the worst we get – Pakistan was strong in 1947, then year after year as we try to move away from India’s values we seem to be destrying ourselves. We are a complete basket case!
It’s not just India’s values. They were Jinnah’s too.
A full throttle research should first be carried out by an esteemed house like Dawn to find out the basic reasons which has saddled Pakistan to this unfortunate state. of affairs. It is just a concidence that I seen a picture of Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy with FM Muhamed Ayub in an open car on the Mall of Lahore with no police and military personnel. Simply incredible and unbelievable..
Fully agreed. But I also think we need to drive hope. The moderate forces in our country have to come up and speak up. They need to become braver than the extremists Things will change for better with time Insha Allah, in Him we should trust.
With due respect He has not helped and has worsened the problem
Awesome.. Mr. Wasif.. It might just look like an article of 2-3 pages.. But i can understand the amount of pain for your research, the amount of analysis and finally putting all the points into the right perspective to make sense .. hats off..to your brave, unbiased, neutral, spot-on analysis on the root cause of all the ills of pakistan..Many people simply say that Imran Khan is the solution for the problem, but he can solve only part of the problem but cannot deal with the root cause of the problem.. For that Pakistan needs a greater leader…
Religious extremism is spreading through media i.e electronic and print media. Religious scholars and writers are given freedom to write and state whatever they like either authentic or else, having total freedom. The scholars claim some people as pious and holy persons but fail to elaborate their achievements and success. Everybody can see religious and sectarian flags hovering over main roads showing that nation is in mourning. It is the time to change such culture, all public places and educational institutions should be free from such activities. This is modern era, new generation should engage in research and developing work to safe their future and accept what is right and truth enable them having respect and honor throughout the globe.
i am not able to understand what you are trying to say. are you saying that we should ban scholars and writers on media and public and private places to fully practice and spread “freedoms? then what kind of freedom is it. which is achieved by enslaving other thoughts.
Nobody wants to curtail freedom of expression for anyone. However, with such freedom comes responsibilities. No one has the right to practice hate speeches against anyone or issue fatwas which encourage the killing of people.Such people should be arrested and put behind bars. The nation should be secular and religon a private affair.
Excellent analysis as o what is happening in the country!! Unfortunately, there is no leadership to tacle this mess. Not even Imran Khan who has also sold his soul to the religous hardliners!!! Pakistan is doomed and not even Allah is willing to help this nation!!!
My dear muslim brothers,kindly recognise people of other religions also as human beings,because
they are also created by allah(god).(there is only one god,there cannot be two gods for all the floora and fauna).Kindly also remove the word jihad .Then only we all will feel a sigh of relief.