But the government’s resolve is in doubt
While the political parties staged a big retreat by agreeing to the military courts the religious parties are not willing to allow the government to look into the affairs of the seminaries. It is normal for Muslim countries including Saudi Arabia to regulate the affairs of seminaries as well as mosques. Why shouldn’t Pakistan exercise the authority when there are reports of links between certain seminaries and terrorists? The JUI-F’s boycott of the National Assembly sitting contributed to the postponement of voting. The failure on the part of the PML-N to resolve its dispute with the PTI leading to the absence of the latter’s MNAs also reduced the number of the amendment’s supporters.
The COAS has meanwhile held joint meetings of Provincial Apex Committees (PACs) of Punjab and KP. It is notable that the first PAC to meet was that of Punjab presumably because NAP had particularly called for dealing with militancy in the province. The attack on those keeping vigil on Salmaan Taseer’s death anniversary once again indicates how strong the extremist sentiment is in Punjab. What needs to be done is initiating a multifaceted campaign against the thinking in all the four provinces.
Ch Nisar has announced action against TTP operatives, their supporters, masterminds and financiers. In the case of the interior minister there has never been a shortage of promises. What has always been lacking is an action on his part in the desired direction. Maulana Abdul Aziz’s support for terrorist organisations is no secret. He is also reportedly reorganising the Ghazi Force militant group. Despite this he is allowed to challenge the state by refusing to surrender to the police. His financiers too have not been held accountable. The pressure by the religious parties like JUI-F to stop the government from any oversight in the activities of the seminaries must be resisted. Keeping in view its leanings towards these parties one is not sure if the government would take a firm stand.
