What about the several other shades of grey?
The TLP best illustrates what happens when extremist networks are mainstreamed. The TLP flouted the constitution, particularly the political and judicial system enshrined in it. It devised highly divisive slogans, spread fake news to incite the mobs and resorted to lawlessness to capture power. It is a matter of some satisfaction that at long last a crackdown has been launched against one of the several lawless networks in the country. The TLP leadership has meanwhile done enough mischief which will require a lot of effort and time to suppress.
Unfortunately, all mainstream parties have sought the support of extremist networks in one way or another against their opponents, PTI being the latest. The PTI leadership which had clapped hands with joy when the TLP resorted to violent tactics flouting the PML-N government now condemns the network for using similar tactics against its own administration. Fawad Chaudhry says the TLP has become a continuous threat to the life and properties of the citizens and is doing politics under the guise of religion. Why did he fail to realize this during the TLP’s weeks long sit-in in November last year?
The agencies have created the extremist networks in pursuit of their own short-term agendas. MQM was brought into existence under Zia ul Haq to counterbalance the PPP in Sindh. When Altaf Hussain became too powerful and ignored the directives from above, they put together the Haqiqi group as MQM’ nemesis. Similarly, the LeJ was brought into existence to counter pro-Iran Shia groups in Pakistan. The network continued to enjoy the patronage in later years because it was considered useful in the fulfilment of the establishment’s Afghan strategy. The application of the theory of biological control in dealing with perceived opponents has caused a lot of bloodshed in Pakistan.
To ensure peace and security in the country the selective approach to extremist networks needs to be abandoned by both the political parties and the permanent institutions created by the State. Banning the TLP but blinking at Milli Muslim League, ASWJ and Difa-e-Pakistan Council is too big an anomaly to ignore.
