There is an aspect to this that goes beyond the farcical. The unfortunate shopkeepers have of course lost a great deal of money. But beyond this, we also see the writ of the Taliban remain in place. It is becoming obvious that they were not defeated, as the military has claimed more than once. They remain firmly in control of areas in the north and are willing to take the most audacious — and absurd — steps in full public view. It would seem then that we have been lied to when we are told that militancy is at an end. Just the opposite seems to be true and there is a need here to think long and hard. Means have to be thought out to drive away the militants and rid people of the mindset they have created. We must also remember this has nothing to do with religion. The Taliban have distorted Islam in a terrible fashion. Their quest is all about power and the use of terror is a means to enforce control. They must be stopped before further harm is done to our nation.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 29th, 2011.
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"We must also remember this has nothing to do with religion. The Taliban have distorted Islam in a terrible fashion. Their quest is all about power and the use of terror is a means to enforce control. They must be stopped before further harm is done to our nation."
Replace the word Taliban with Jinnah and you will see why pakistan was born. It was all about power anad has nothing to do with religion. Now enjoy the fruits dears- you already have bananas and sour grapes. lets see whats in line. let Taliban enjoy the state Jinnah created for them.Complete overhaul of society is needed with education given top preference. Only educated and awared individuals can change Pakistan. We have destroyed the image of our country due to weak and corrupt governments.
Indeed, "madness" is the appropriate term. Lunacy also comes to mind. This latest episode is just a tip of the iceberg of what this self-proclaimed "guardians" of the faith can do to Pakistan. Remember the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan under Taliban rule? No singing, dancing, television sets, even radios. It could be worse here where they receive backing, whether active or passive, from certain segments of society that are genuinely supportive of their cause or are simply cowed into submission. It is true that these "guardians" and "scholars" simply use religion as a ruse to spread a warped mindset and, in the process, attain power, influence, and wealth. In short, they are but a rapacious, barely literate and potential bunch of power-grabbers. By the way, how to these "guardians" explain away the explicit materials found stashed in the hideout of their true paragon of virtue, the late al-Qaeda leader in Abbottabad?
Somebody famously defined a Banana Republic as a place where bananas are grown and the American ambassador finds attentive audiences. Welcome to the 21st century and Pakistan's contribution to it - The redefinition of the term Banana republic - A place where armed bandits and assorted savages do as they please, a place where the powers that be have outdone the legendary Quisling in their servility, pusillanimity and cowardice in facing up to these animals, where the 'awam' get more brutalized, marginalized and radicalized every day. Ah and yes, the american ambassador to Pakistan has all the ears that he needs.