What will happen after the Americans leave?

EPSOM: This is with reference to Farhat Taj’s article “What will happen after the Americans leave?” (June 29). Ms Taj deserves credit for writing this bold piece. As a Pakhtun, I understand her plight. She cannot reveal her sources. Most Pakhtuns know that the army is playing strategic dramas on our soil with our blood. But it’s not easy to talk about these issues openly. That’s where Farhat Taj stands out. She has the courage to speak on behalf of all those Pakhtuns who suffer in silence. It also needs to be underscored that Punjab is where the extremism is breeding now.

Jihadist literature and recordings of Masood Azhar, Azam Tariq, and Hafiz Saeed can be found there easily. These hate preachers address the gatherings of tens of thousands in jihadi congregations across the province. Every day, jihadis are being killed in Afghanistan and in Fata in Nato attacks. Their involvement in attacks across Punjab is also not hidden. What else do we need as evidence?

Published in The Express Tribune, July 2^nd, 2010.