Islamic Fundamentalism in Pakistan

[DarkWaters]

The present standoff in Pakistan has been ongoing for several days now. According to the article, there are about 1,000 individuals, mostly students, barricaded into a mosque at least fifty of whom are well armed Islamic fundamentalists. The radicals are allegedly demanding that the Pakistani government implement Sharia Law. The Pakistani government is presently refusing to allow those inside to surrender without facing arrest despite their demands. The militant students inside the mosque are suspected of orchestrating numerous recent kidnappings of civilians, Chinese nationals and Pakistani police.

Analogous to Egypt, Pakistan has always struggled to keep Islamic Extremists out of its government. The nation was essentially founded after the Muslim League persuaded the British to separate the Muslim regions of India into a separate state. As recently as 1971, Pakistan has experienced an Islamic Revival which culminated in 1977 when General Mohammad Zia-ul-Haq overthrew the partially secular Prime Minister Bhutto to impose a government centered around Sharia Law. A good reference on this is Daniel Pipes' In the Path of God: Islam and Political Power. This dictatorship lasted until 1988 when General Zia died in a plane crash.

Even today, the Tora Bora mountainous region on the Pakistani borders is pretty backwards ideologically and is one of the present suspected hideouts of Osama Bin Laden. Lastly, Pakistan is presently atrocious on women's rights as is exemplified in the horrific case of Mukhtaran Bibi.

This standoff is probably worth keeping an eye on although Pakistan is probably still relatively safe from having an Islamic Revolution. That is, unless if a bunch of Neo-conservatives wish to bring it Democracy.

[DarkWaters]

In response to the increasing evidence that the mountainous tribal areas of Pakistan have been a safe haven for Al Qaeda and for Taliban militants, the United States has indicated that it might take military action. The Pakistani foreign minister has insisted that sending in U.S. Troops will be counterproductive and that Pakistan, who he describes as a committed ally in the war on terror, will handle the situation. According to CNN.com, there are already 85,000 Pakistani troops in these areas.

In other Pakistani news, Justice Chaudhry has been reinstated in what has been described as a significant blow to General Musharraf. According to BBC News:

Officials alleged that several people had complained to the president that Mr Chaudhry had misused his office and received favours. In particular, he is alleged to have procured a top police job for his son.

But critics say the government has not shown similar zeal in pursuing more serious charges - such as financial embezzlement and property fraud - against other top judges.

They accuse the president of plotting to remove an independent-minded judge to forestall legal challenges to his plan to ask parliament for another five-year term in office.

Given the increasingly violent opposition to Musharraf's rule by Islamic militants, these situations in Pakistan are worth monitoring closely.