Shantanu Mukharji
EVER since Pakistan came into being 77 years ago, it has failed to rein in religious extremism, military interference and other ills, which were of its own making. No effort was ever made that could suggest that the Government was serious in keeping religious fundamentalism in check. Most of the time, there has been state patronage in the growth of fundamentalism. General Zia ul Haq, who ruled (1977- 1988) Pakistan with an iron fist, took no step in checking the spiralling growth of religious extremism. On the contrary, he pressed the button of regression and we all know what happened subsequently. Religious intolerance got deep-rooted in Pakistan sowing the seeds of emergence of multiple terror groups, including Lashkar-e-Toiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad, Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan and many more. These groups were appropriated to foment terror in India. They soon became a state within the state. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) did make some attempts to control terror financing but on the ground, it is difficult to control these ultra-outfits because of the direct Governmental support.
Red carpet for Naik
This long preface is imperative and presented to put things in perspective as very recently hate preacher and most radical among the hardliners, Zakir Naik, was on Pakistan trip. A country which has always been consumed in religious radicalism, sponsored Naik’s visit and rolled out a red-carpet welcome to the fugitive who is wanted in India, and is currently sheltered in Malaysia. Upon his arrival, Naik spelt out the reasons for choosing to stay in Malaysia though his first choice of country to seek refuge was Pakistan.
According to him, Pakistan is the only country which was founded on the true principles of Islam. He said he avoided being harboured in Pakistan lest he was branded as an ISI agent.
Now let us examine the importance this hate preacher received in Pakistan. No other than Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended Zakir Naik in glowing terms recalling their first meeting in 2006. He even said he was personally benefited by Naik’s teachings and rhetoric. Naik was the Chief Guest at a function where he addressed the gathering at the Sindh Governor’s house in Karachi. He was also met by the Speaker of the Pak National Assembly and almost all the top dignitaries.
Religious extremism
Judging by all this, one cannot expect Pakistan to come out from the profound spell of religious fundamentalism. Zakir Naik’s hate speeches during his longish stay in Pakistan are expected to harden the religious extremism in an already religion-driven country. While the world is standing up to terror, Pakistan is trying to soak in more religion-inspired ‘teachings. There doesn’t seem to be any sane voice in the country to stem the irrational religious tide fostered by Naik’s speeches.
It would not be out of context to state that only a couple of weeks ago, in Kurram, Pakistan saw a series of deadly clashes between Shias and Sunnis claiming several lives. There are intermittent violence in multiple cases of sectarian riots. And, they are all inspired by religion. Zakir, in his speeches, adds fuel to fire by his subtle appeal for more religious prejudice.
