The common dogma [of fundamentalists] is fear of modern knowledge, inability to cope with the fast change in a scientific-technological society, and the real breakdown in apparent moral order in recent years.... That is why hate is the major fuel, fear is the cement of the movement, and superstitious ignorance is the best defense against the dangerous new knowledge. ... When you bring up arguments that cast serious doubts on their cherished beliefs you are not simply making a rhetorical point, you are threatening their whole Universe and their immortality. That provokes anger and quite frequently violence. ... Unfortunately you cannot reason with them and you even risk violence in confronting them. Their numbers will decline only when society stabilizes, and adapts to modernity.
On November 3, Pakistan's President Musharraf declared a state of emergency and martial law in Pakistan, suspending the Pakistan constitution, stating that Pakistan's sovereignty was at stake.
Reasons:
This emergency declaration was made as the continuing growth of power and influence of the Taliban has turned the area of Swat into a mini-state within Pakistan, as Pakistan army and police are surrendering to Taliban, and as the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan. (NWFP) government has publicly offered to meet the demands of the Taliban to enforce Shariah throughout the Swat area.
This grim news also comes after repeated polls taken among the Pakistani public which shows between 60 to 76 percent of those polled favor the growth of Islamist Shariah law throughout Pakistan, as well as news reports of growth of Pakistan Taliban armaments and tolerance of Taliban in major cities within Pakistan.
This emergency declaration also comes less than a week after a suicide bomber attack near the heavily-fortified Pakistani Army HQ in the garrison city of Rawalpindi, which houses President Musharraf's office. Pakistan's internal security has been challenged in the past several months with a continuing series of suicide bombings and attacks, including one on Benazir Bhutto's convoy last month that killed 145 people.
Threats from Fundamentalist groups:
The September 2006 peace pact between Pakistan and the Taliban has allowed both the Taliban and Al Qaeda to regroup in Waziristan and carry out terrorist attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
In August 2007, while President Musharraf was holding meetings with Taliban representatives, encouraging the Taliban to become a mainsteam political organization, the Taliban has continued to solidify a base in the North-West Frontier (NWFP) Province of Pakistan.
This NWFP base of the Taliban is centered in the Swat area, where the Taliban and Al Qaeda have created a mini-state within Pakistan, where pro-Taliban cleric Maulana Fazlullah uses FM radio to broadcast the Islamist ideology of the Taliban to the public.
On November 2, the Pakistan NWFP government announced an initial appeasement to the Taliban to help it achieve its Islamist goals in enforcing Shariah throughout Pakistan -- the creation of a committee to enforce Sharia law in Malakand Division. The Pakistan Daily Times reported that the "provincial government has directed the committee to submit its report as soon as possible for swift implementation of Sharia law".
On November 3, prior to the emergency declaration, NWFP governor Ali Muhammad Jan Aurakzai announced that Pakistan was considering enforcement of Shariah in Swat valley to meet the demands of pro-Taliban militants, stating "[t]he government is considering the implementation of Sharia law in the view of the demands of the local people."
Today November 10, The islamic fundamentalists have shown a repeat telecast of what they did at Bhamyan, Afghanistan by destroying another Buddhist Heritage.
Where are we heading:
Even though Musharaff's declaration of emergency seems to be displaying his autocracy. Considering the rise of fundamentalism, maybe his staying as the general makes sense. A known devil is better than an unknown friend.
Bhutto's alliance with Musharaf seems to be making some rough waves.
Sharif's call on suspending all contacts with musharaff and taking the country towards democracy is novel but does not seem to be promising considering the recent changes.
The failure of American leadership to have a policy on Islamism has prevented the ability to provide a pro-active coherent policy in Pakistan that addresses both the strategic issues of pro-Islamist Pakistani public sentiment along with support in areas of the government
Indian Govt seems to be supporting Musharaf as far as he can keep the fundamentalists at bay.
The industry whiz'z are preparing to take their stakes out of Pakistan as the country loses its stability yet again.
However, with all fairness to Musharaf, the avant garde general did help Pakistan increase its GDP, improve trade defecits (thanks to US aid) and did start a lot of development for Pakistan.
How long will Musharaf last!!!.... I guess my money is not on him
