‘No’ to extremism

marwatone · #1 Sunday, February 24, 2008

‘No’ to extremism

The results of the February 18 elections have been a refreshing change for the majority of the Pakistani people, but for the militants it has not been so. The results show that the nation has not only rejected the PML(Q), but also the religious parties. Except for a handful of seats, the religious parties – that had won a large chunk of National Assembly seats in the 2002 elections and formed a government in NWFP and a coalition government in Balochistan – lost badly in these elections. This proves that the Pakistani nation is not full of extremists, as has been portrayed in the world media. Instead, the people of Pakistan are moderate and forward-looking, who abhor the idea of the militants using the name of Islam to pursue their own nefarious interests. They have shown the red light to the Islamists while sending the green signal to the moderate forces asking them to take charge of Pakistan. The moderate PPP, which has won the majority seats in the National Assembly, is expected to make a coalition government with the PML-N and the ANP. It is good to see that Pakistan has voted for the moderate forces at a time when the extremists were gaining strength. The PPP and the ANP are known to be secular parties, while the PML-N is seen as a centre-right party, which too has taken up the cudgels against the religious militants. This would bode well for Pakistan, not only internally but also externally. Internally, moderate, democratic forces would be able to curb militancy to a large extent, which would bring much needed peace and stability in the country. This would also redeem Pakistan’s image in the international arena.

It has been reported that the people of the tribal areas and the Taliban have been following the political developments after the February 18 polls, as these developments are likely to play a major role in determining the future of the war on terror. The Islamic hardliners are watching the developments wearily as a change in power – that of the moderate forces – means they cannot now openly carry on with their terrorist activities and a crackdown on them is inevitable. Just before the elections, the extremists started targeting the ANP and assassinated a number of their candidates. It was because the local Taliban were afraid of the secular ANP taking the reins of power in NWFP. The rapid Talibanisation of Pakistan will now, hopefully, be curtailed. Talibanisation has not only spread in the tribal areas, but is spreading its vicious fangs in the settled areas of the country as well. The Lal Masjid episode highlighted how extremist forces had even gained a stronghold in the heart of the capital, Islamabad. The spate of suicide bombings and other terrorist attacks carried out the post-Lal Masjid operation made the security situation in Pakistan quite uncertain. It was the need of the hour that moderate, democratic forces should assume power so that the masses can be mobilised against the hardcore Islamic militants. It is hoped that the next government would create more awareness about extremism and its adverse effects on the Pakistani society.

Any government that comes into power now should remain steadfast in Pakistan’s cooperation in the war against terror. Where military might is needed, it should be used and where there is need for dialogue, it should be initiated. The new government must make the people understand that this is no more the US’s war, it is our war now – a war for Pakistan’s peaceful survival, and it must be carried out till all the extremist forces are wiped out from the country.

http://thepost.com.pk/EditorialNews....46299&catid=10

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