Seeds of strife

While religion may serve to instil discipline, morality, and a code of conduct in one's faith, embracing extremism in its tenets is likely to heighten intolerance—a fact repeatedly proven by history

- SHANTANU MUKHARJI

Ever since Pakistan came into being 77 years ago, it has failed to rein in religious extremism, military interference, and other ills of its own making. No meaningful efforts have been visible that suggest the government, as part of its governance, is serious about keeping religious fundamentalism in check.

History shows no evidence that any ruler in Pakistan has refrained from furthering the cause of radical Islam. In fact, there has often been state patronage in the growth of fundamentalism. General Zia-ul-Haq, who ruled Pakistan with an iron fist from 1977 to 1988, made no effort to check the spiralling growth of religious extremism. On the contrary, he actively pressed the button of regression, and we all know what followed. Religious intolerance took root in Pakistan, sowing the seeds for the emergence of multiple terror groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), and many more. Religious intolerance flourished, and home-grown terror groups were increasingly reinforced. These groups were conveniently appropriated to foment terror in India, targeting Kashmir and other critical installations. They became unbridled and soon operated as a state within the state. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) made some attempts to control terror financing, but on the ground, it is extremely difficult to rein in these ultra-outfits due to direct government support in financing, training, logistics, and other spheres.