Pakistan: The Militant Jihadi Challenge

As the US and NATO prepare to step up military action to blunt extremism along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, the International Crisis Group presents analysis on the extent of the challenge: “that the Pakistani Taliban is an outgrowth of radical Sunni networks in the country’s political heartland is too often neglected.” Extremist networks provide weapons, recruits and financing for attacks on Indian, Western, Kashmir, secular and Shia targets. Political squabbles among major Pakistani parties and economic difficulties serve as a wedge for extremist networks to expand influence. The ICG urges proactive enforcement including “a zero tolerance policy towards all forms of religious militancy,” as well as swift prosecution for attacks, repeal of any discriminatory religious law, and strict limits on weapons, private militias, hate speech. “The military's control over foreign policy, and its support to Sunni militant groups or regional jihad, undermined civilian efforts to contain religious extremism,” notes the ICG report. The report concludes that cooperation among the major political parties in Pakistan, abiding by the principles of democratic governance, could be the best defense against spreading extremism. – YaleGlobal