Adil Najam
To view such a video and assume that all of Pakistan is against the Taliban would be as delusional as the proposition that all of Pakistan is for them is deceptive.
The point of this video is not that all Pakistanis are opposed to Talibanization. It is that not all Pakistanis are for them.
The distinction between the two is subtle, but vital. The video puts to a lie the notion that anti-Taliban sentiment are to be found only in the so-called “liberal” and “elite” classes. Indeed, the empirical fact is that the people who the Taliban and other religious extremist forces have been killing in Pakistan are (a) nearly all Pakistanis, (b) nearly all Muslims, and (c) none of them are either very “liberal” or very “elite.”
It should not be a surprise, then, that at least some, probably many, and possibly most, “non-liberal,” “non-elite,” Pakistani Muslims would be against the Taliban and the war they are waging on Pakistan, Pakistanis and on Pakistani Muslims. The tragedy is that too many Pakistanis remain agnostic on the Talibanization threat and even more who are afraid of or reluctant to raise their voices against them.
There is clearly a need to counter the propaganda of those who would have us believe that the Taliban are opposed only by a few “liberal elites.” But equally important - even more important - is the need to acknowledge and somehow deal with the deep fissures and divisions within Pakistani society. Indeed, if there is any one unambiguous truth about Pakistan today it is that we are a deeply divided society. Deeply divided on many of the most existential questions about the country’s past, present and future: Including on questions of what the Taliban represent and how they should be dealt with. It is this division that the Taliban are exploiting. Until these societal fissures are somehow addressed neither military action, nor political strategy, nor international intervention will make any difference whatsoever.
The question was: “Which section or sections of the society support Taleban and why?”
The answer provided by Mr. Adnan Siddiqi is: “start living in rural areas of NWFP, Sind and Punjab, [and] you will learn yourself why Talibans are popular over there.”
To which Mr. Aamir Ali has responded by saying: “People of rural areas of NWFP have no fondness for Taliban, rather they form Laskhars to fight them. When the Taliban cross the Indus and arrive in Punjab, you will start singing a different tune as well.”
I think both gentlemen have a point here. USA, West, Iran, India, Northern Alliance and Pakistani urban upper middle class (both at home and abroad) including the landed ruling classes of Pakistan are the ones most threatened by the rise of Taleban. Even though brutal, illiterate and basic, Taleban do have some support from the urban as well as rural ‘have-nots’ of Pakistan. Rise of Taleban will take Pakistan back to the medieval times that is if there will be a Pakistan at the end of this class struggle. But here is an opportunity for the urban upper middle classes of Pakistan, the crowd that blogs, logs and comments at the Internet to think. What gives rise to the gangs like Taleban? Could it be the inability and failure of the society at large to provide a fair and just socio-economic system for all? Is it the greed and the selfishness of ‘haves’ that makes ‘have-nots’ to side and sympathise with movements like Taleban? This is the time for ALL of us to introspect and think where did we go wrong.
@Aamir: Being a Karachiite I have experienced MQM and it’s millitant activities for 5-7 years and have seen how they killed their own people and we all know MQM is a secular party and have no relation with Talibans, Infact they are sync with you people.
@Aamir Ali: I think some member on very same forum shared the video proof as well? Let’s start facing reality, shall we? Instead of exhibiting the stereotype attitude, one should try to find out the extreme elements in every group; be it right wing moral cops or left wing enlightened and liberal souls. The problem is that both group shy away to admit the fascism in their own communities and this is not going to serve them anyway.
@Adnan Siddiqi
People of rural areas of NWFP have no fondness for Taliban, rather they form Laskhars to fight them.
When the Taliban cross the Indus and arrive in Punjab, you will start singing a different tune as well.
I think religious scholars (Ulema) should act and unanimously and declare Taliban a non-muslim organization and their act ‘un-Islamic’. Taliban is still living in the pre-Islamic era which was based upon nothing but ignorance.
And please stop blaming external forces and rather try to bring your house in order first. First identify your own Mir Jaffers and Mir Sadiqs and hang them.
@Aleena: Bibi Hillary of US say that “We” created Talibans. Yeah the FM of the country which you love most and which would be heaven on earth for you guys
The question is that which section of the society the Taleban come from. Which section or sections of the society support Taleban and why?
Quit US and start living in rural areas of NWFP,Sind and Punjab, you will learn yourself why Talibans are popular over there. Read the book of British journalist Ms.Riddley aka Maryam and it will help you to learn various things that why liberals are getting defeated every time
The tragedy is that too many Pakistanis remain agnostic on the Talibanization threat and even more who are afraid of or reluctant to raise their voices against them.
No Adil, what you call “tragedy” is actually not tragedy at all. It’s just people of Pakistan reject anti-Islam and anti-Taliban propaganda from secular left just like they do not pay attention. Maybe it’s tragedy for liberal and secular cult otherwise majority of Pakistanis are not willing to buy liberals theory who are always fed to support the agenda of West one way or other. It hurts you because people of Pakistan still consider religion more important than West and they are not willing to surrender. It hurts you guys because people consider Talibans as “Messiah”[which they should not be..] because Talibans meet common people of Pakistan who re power while our so called intellectual class logs in from Virginia or Washington and “exhibit” the patriotism from chilled rooms. Definitely people will not consider you people serious enough at all. You guys can’t win heart by making lengthy rants on blogs and arranging “events” on Facebook or setting Display Picture. It’s like living in fools paradise.
@ Mazhur…
I replied to you on PTH as well…it seems that stupiduty and lies are not only terminal in your case but contageous to other forums as well…
I will not attempt to discredit your stupid post but I will pick out 2 main things:
1. Had we not Muslims was there any chance for Jinnah and others to gain a ‘’separate homeland for Muslims where they could live according to the tenets of their religion’?”
- So if you Mullah’s really wanted to tell the rest of us how to live the you should fought for Pakistan with Jinnah like my forefathers and not opposed him by calling in Kafir e Azam and pakistan na-Pakistan….Pakistan was created DESPITE the Mullah….now shut up..
2. The bottom line is that the so called billowing against Talibbanization is not purely aimed against them but Islam itself.”
Right. so as a practicing Muslim im against my OWN way of life.???…im against it THUS i sport a beard and rise at dawn to pray….??
your deceipt and lies are sickening….