ASIA/PAKISTAN - The largest Islamic extremist group is illegal: for the Church "it is a good start"

Karachi (Agenzia Fides) - The government of Pakistan has outlawed the largest Islamic extremist group in the country: the group "Ahle Sunnah Wal Jamaat", also known as "Sipah-e-Sahaba (SSP) (" Soldiers of the Companions of the Prophet " ), is considered close to Al Qaeda and is responsible for murders, kidnappings terrorist acts in different parts of the country.
According to Fr. Mario Rodrigues, Director of Pontifical Mission Societies in Pakistan, "it is a good start, a step forward in the fight against terrorism and extremism, which must be a priority on the government’s agenda. The government, with this move, shows an effort in this fight, but much remains to be done: one cannot claim victory. Terrorists and extremists remain within the country and are very strong. This creates concern and danger to the entire society". According to official figures, in recent years, victims of terrorism in Pakistan are over 30 thousand.
Fr. Mario also recalls of the kidnappings, which have multiplied in recent months, that have targeted aid workers and foreign aid workers. Recently in Multan, the Italian Giovanni Lo Porto and the German Bernd Johannes belonging to the German NGO "Welthungerhilfe", a Kenyan aid worker in Sindh and a British Red Cross in Quetta have been kidnapped. "Western aid workers - he explains - are a favorite target, because the terrorists are hoping to get ransom, they know they have visibility ensured and also launch a threatening message to the West, its presence in Pakistan and its values, including also the Christian identity".
Fr. Mario says: "As ministers of the Church we do not feel under attack, social Christian workers are more at risk, as they are falsely accused of proselytizing among Muslims." In Karachi, in fact, two Pakistani Christian aid workers in recent days were kidnapped, in a Christian hospital (see Fides 29/02/2012). "In the fight against terrorism – he concludes – one cannot just let the guard down: society wants a nation free from hatred and extremism". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 10/3/2012)