The cricket team of Sri Lanka was attacked in Lahore, Pakistan today. They received a Taliban-style welcome with AK-47 bullets, rockets, and grenades. While terrorists are carrying out attacks in broad daylight in the heart of Pakistan - literally, those responsible for running this country are fighting over scraps of political power.
The threats to Pakistan are many. The newly elected democratic government is engaged in an internal power struggle and is perceived as doing an awful job at running the country. Al-Qaida and Taliban are strengthening their roots in the north and northwest. They recently forced the Pakistani government into accepting fundamental Islamic law in the once-beautiful-tourist-attraction of Swat. After the Mumbai attacks, there is a looming threat of yet-another-war with India. US drones bomb Pakistani soil on a regular basis, fueling anti-US and pro-Taliban sentiments. To top this all off, Pakistan's strongest institution, the army, is at record unpopularity levels - thanks both to Musharraf and to the US-lead war on terror that the Pakistani army is carrying out.
I must admit. I am scared. For the first time, the glaring reality that Pakistan is a failed state is sinking in. We are all waiting for a train-wreck, with everyone on board. And I believe that very recently we passed a tipping point. The stage is all set. All that is missing now is a religious revolution.
Islamic fundamentalism is on the rise in the country. And I don't mean just the terrorists. There has been a passive strengthening of fundamental Islamic rules and traditions in the society at large. Islamic TV and radio stations are more popular than ever. Growing economic hardships and lack of faith in every other institution is drawing more and more people towards the institution of religion. Imagine someone with Pakistani roots following the "glorious" steps of Mullah Omar and issuing a "fatwa" that its time for Sharia (Islamic law) now. Not just in Swat, but in Islamabad and Lahore. There will be riots. Army might be called in. But without a hard man like Musharraf in power, no one will like to take the responsibility of killing religious students. People will sit back and watch. After all the average Pakistanis have watched the drama of this country unfold from the back seats since the very beginning. Why will they do anything proactive now?
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