Pakistan Terrorism - the Genesis

The current malaise of Islamic extremism and terrorism that cripple Pakistan in all fronts, including its international reputation, is a product of Pakistan military's patronization since the days of the former military dictator, President Ziaul Haque. Even after the death of president Haque, Islamic extremism has seen upward tide in Pakistan despite a limited democratic rule for some years. All throughout, it is said that, the military has been the behind-the-scene force for inciting the extremists in Kashmir and Afghanistan. The malaise has reached such a terrible extreme that Islamic terrorist attacks, wherever that might happen today, seem to have a Pakistan link. This fact has been candidly acknowledged by the Pakistan president Parvez Musharraf in his latest address to the nation on 21 July, 2005: "No matter where something happens, we end up being directly or indirectly involved," he said. He added, "It turns out that they [extremists] have either visited Pakistan or passed through it on their way to Afghanistan."

Musharraf - Friend of the Extremists

When Musharraf has acknowledged the above, it can only hold truth. He himself is a prominent contributor to this malaise. It must be remembered that throughout the days of the rise of the Taliban under direct patronization of the Pak military, Musharraf was a senior leader in the military. And the devastating Kargil war in Kashmir was under the patronization of Musharraf in 1998, when he was the chief of military. He knows the terrorism thing in Pakistan inside out.

It however appears that Musharraf is a changed man. He clearly understands that inciting terrorism is not going to bear fruit for Pakistan or for any other Muslim country in the world. This is reflected in his candid reflection of the realities of extremism in Pakistan which goes against his consistent and flat denial of any linkage of Pakistan with Islamist extremism over the last few years.

The president at one point became very specific in illuminating Pakistan's patronization of Islamic extremism by saying that 20-30 thousands Jihadis came to Pakistan on their way to Afghanistan for fighting the US-backed war against the Soviets. Then he threw the question to the nation: "After the war, where did they go?" - suggesting that those Jihadis created base in Pakistan probably to launch Jihad in Kashmir, the next frontier. There is no doubt that Pakistan army and intelligence have covertly supported those extremists.

Pakistan - Breeding Ground for Extremists

Musharraf once again was very candid to confess that orthodox Muslim groups in Pakistan had been raising funds for 26 years, recruiting the extremists, providing military training and distributing hate materials across the country. He added that extremist groups also traditionally received supports from the mainstream religious parties. Does not this simply imply president's admission that Pakistan has become a "breeding ground" and a "safe haven" for the Islamic extremists? And how to deny that when Pakistan has arrested some 400-500 al-Qaeda operatives, coming from all over the world and handed to the US? There is no point in shamelessly denying the fact that Pakistan has aided the global Jihadi movement when loads of evidence suggest so. Only accepting the fact and taking an all-out measure is going to be helpful. Else the viscous crocodile they invited home is going to devour the nation in the near future.
 

Musharraf - Enemy of the Extremists

President Musharraf seems to have realized that inevitable danger of the extremists very well and has launched a new wave of anti-terrorist measures to rein in the extremists in the aftermath of the London bombing, which now appear to have connection with terrorist groups in Pakistan. The brave and risky raids in religious schools and madrasas have netted 200-300 extremists. Not only that but he also expressed disappointment with the British and Western Governments, who allow extremist groups to operate openly and spread hatred and violence in the name of liberty and free speech. Indeed, capitals of the Western Europe have become free operating grounds for the Islamist extremists fled from all across the Muslim world. These extremists are engaged in launching campaigns and attacks against the authority of their home country including an open fatwa against President Musharraf. At the same time, they are also inciting the young Muslims in Europe into extremism against the local governments and cultures. A disappointed and indignant Musharraf, who survived two near-fatal attempts on his life, said: "There are extremist organizations in the United Kingdom - there is the Hizbul Tahreer and al-Muhajiroun - who operate with full impunity in that area."

"They had the audacity of passing an edict against my life and yet they operate with impunity."

"There is a lot to be done by Pakistan and a lot to be done in England also", the president said.

Confronting Extremism

History tells us that religious extremism, be it the Christian fundamentalism in the middle age or extremist Ku Klux Klan (KKK) movement of 1960s in the US or the more recent Islamic extremism in Afghanistan or Iran, must be confronted with resolute determination. Appeasement with religious extremism has only brought in disasters. Ask the leftists and the communists, who joined the Islamic extremists, in the Iran revolution and how Islamists ruthlessly slaughterer the leftist comrades after the Islamic revolution. President Musharraf, apparently the only Muslim leader in the world, seems to have realized that bitter truth, which has cost Pakistan dearly already.

The Islamic extremism, which seems to have crippled every part of the Islamic world and is now spreading its tentacles fast to the West, need to be confronted with determination and, if needed, with ruthlessness. Else, the world would be devoured by these fanatics and reappearance of the proverbial Dark Age is inevitable, albeit being ushered in by the Islamic fundamentalism this time round. It is more important to confront this menace in the Islamic world. The general people in Muslim countries have been so strongly addicted by Karl Marx's proverbial religious opium such that it has become impossible for the political leaders in most Muslim countries to confront these extremists by themselves. The Western governments need to assist and empower the moderate and enlightened leaders like Musharraf. Western Governments must also have to show zero tolerance towards the extremists and hate-inciting elements in their backyards, who often raise money in those wealthy countries to fund extremists group in Muslim countries against the moderate leaders. Western Government must pay heed to Musharraf's plea to Britain and Western countries to do their part, too.

In summary, Musharraf himself can clearly be held responsible for assisting the spread of Islamic which terrorizes almost every country in the world. There have been deadly terrorist attacks in 26 countries (both Muslim and non-Muslim) across the continents over more than a decade despite the adoption of serious anti-terror measures world-wide. Yet, Musharraf appears to be the only Muslim leader, who understands the danger of this extremism with all it consequences and is intent on rooting it out, even at the cost of his own life. He is also the only leader to realize that Islam need modernizing and rethinking and has launched the so-called "enlightened moderation" movement. His movement bears fruit or not, world cannot afford to ignore the immense value of his partnership and bravery in the fight against terrorism and need to support the former bedfellow turned enemy of the Islamic extremists. Let us understand that no civilian Government can confront the extremists in Pakistan as can Musharraf.