source:uktimelondon.com
The bane of Pakistan has been that it did not stop just at declaring itself as an Islamic state. As it is, the Christians, the Hindus, and other minorities in Pakistan are treated and dealt as second-class citizens. But, Pakistan as an Islamic state has gone further in assuming the responsibility of defining as to who is a real Muslim and who is not. Ahmadiyya Community of Pakistan is an obvious example. This approach to governance continues to alienate sections of the populace who resent government sponsored Islamic interpretations and strictures being imposed on them. The moderate and progressive elements within Pakistani society are at severe odds with the jihadi variety, but unfortunately cannot match them in their violent methods or even government’s patronage. Pakistani society is, therefore, under ideological stress, and the fissures thus created are bound to have serious manifestations sooner or later. It is not that the intelligentsia or some policy makers are not aware of the internal threat posed by the Islamic fundamentalists, but they tend to ignore it, compelled as they are by the exigencies of power.