ASIA/PAKISTAN - Who will save Pakistan from the Taliban?

Lahore (Agenzia Fides) - “Who will save Pakistan from the Taliban?” is the burning question in the country and one which is becoming a growing concern for religious minorities, Christian groups and leaders, representatives of the Catholic Church, lawyers' associations, and other civil society groups.
“The growth of the Taliban in Pakistan is one of the causes for an increased uncertainty among the citizens who believe in a system of democratic values, especially in the rights of women, minorities, for the most vulnerable in society,” Fides was told by Aftab Mughal, a Christian working in the area of human rights and religious freedom in the country. Mughal, director of “Minorities Concern of Pakistan,” notes that after having taken control of the Swat Valley and obtaining legal acknowledgment of the sharia, the Taliban now plan to extend their control into the entire North-West Frontier Province. The situation is increasingly difficult for the non-Islamic religious minorities (3% of 176 million), who suffer harsh discriminations and violence.
Peter Jacob, Secretary of the “Justice and Peace” Commission of the Pakistani Bishops' Conference, told Fides of the lack of opposition from non-Muslim parties to the Parliament's decree on the approval of the sharia. He has even asked the government not to renounce the principles of democracy, equality, respect for citizen rights in reference to all religions, as is affirmed in the Constitution and was desired by the Father of Pakistan, Ali Jinnah.
The Taliban, among others, has openly declared their goal of extending sharia to all the entire territory of the country. Their growing influence in politics and society in Pakistan is no promising sign for the future. The religious minorities today are subject to a never-before-seen pressure. Over 40 families have been forced to flee the Swat Valley. Hundreds of non-Islamic schools have closed their doors. Religious orders are suffering threats and violence and are planning to leave the area as a result (see Fides 16/4/2009).
According to many analysts, the acts of terrorism all over the country are linked to the Taliban. Official sources say that over 1,395 people have died in 1,842 terrorist attacks in the last 15 months. Taliban terrorism is invading the major cities of Pakistan, such as Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Quetta, and Multan. The police have arrested various Taliban who were involved in planning attacks on government officials, schools, and businesses.
Moderate Muslim groups have denounced these threats and have themselves been subject to threats. Mughal continued, saying: “We are asking ourselves: if this is how the Taliban is treating other Muslim groups, how will they treat non-Muslims?”
What is worrisome, activists note, is the “inefficiency of the government in fighting the movement. It is also clear that there are politicians and members of the bureaucracy who support Taliban.”
The crucial question now in the Church is: what kind of Pakistan awaits us, if the Taliban do not believe in democracy, human rights, or the Constitution? “The Taliban are a threat not only to religious minorities, but to the entire nation and for the government itself,” Mughal concluded. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 22/4/2009)