But then in order to bring a change, society must be ready to expect a bit of instability and as such it cannot go worse than it is right now. I mean in the past, your military has overthrown rightfully and legally elected democratic governments. I don't advocate a coup at this stage but then there needs to be some force with which radicals who preach hatred in the common society blending in with ordinary civilians, have to be uprooted. And I don't think you have a Gendarmerie.
The problem is that any step to remove Religious studies will not bring a "little instability", it will start a civil war, People want their children to learn about their faith and removing RE from the school curriculum will be followed by an outcry from the people.
As for Coup d'états, you won't believe it but people actually encourage coups, we get like a couple of dozen letter from people asking the military to take power, the problem is that Civil leadership is corrupt beyond reasoning and understanding, they will continue to mercilessly direct all the state money to their account even when their nation dies of famine.
Pakistan has only seen progress during military rule(as sad as that is) so people have great respect for the military and want them to take power.
People take religion as you say to points beyond sensibility simply because they are being told to. Since faith is being misinterpreted by the radicals, how about you hold government appointed religious seminaries, welcome people and give the correct interpretation? Show them the benefits of a state separate from religion. I observed that Pakistanis have a high regard for Turkey in almost everything. Explain them about Turkey and reforms.
That is a step being taken by the military, after we free talib controlled land, we set up radio stations that broadcast music, hold talk shows, allow people to call in, talk about how they feel, allow them to request for a song of their choice, we also broadcast religious lectures from moderate religious scholars to try and counter Talib propaganda. As for talking to people about Turkey's reform, people who once lived under Talib rule will never think twice before shunning extremist ideologies however, unfortunately some Pakistanis continue to hold sympathy for the Taliban, religious parties such as Jamaat e Islami and Jamiat e Ulema e Islam are respected by many people any attempt to enforce turkey like reforms and these parties will cry foul and then it's all down hill from there.
This has to be done in a controlled environment and since you say that radical parties are misusing the media and their power, you have to start somewhere. Otherwise, the cycle of nightmare will continue forever.
It's very difficult to break the hold these parties have over the people, these parties have been around since the British ruled the sub-continent and so they unfortunately have the respect and confidence of a large chuck of the Pakistani population.
In order to remove over-conservatism from the society and old-fashioned perspectives, government has to take people into confidence. And now is the best time that the people of Pakistan need reassurance and warmth from a source that can guarantee them a safe, prosperous life. What other time is riper than now?
. In fact, I'd suggest you take extensive Turkish help by inviting their politico-religious figures to preach to the citizens of Pakistan in open seminars. It will work because this is the stage where people are realizing regarding how bad extremism in anything can be.
We are trying as hard as possible to make people realize the problems posed by extremist ideas but the problem is that the elements that encourage extremism are also quite active, we have had mild successes but the people want to live under an Islamic govt and see what it looks like, I have noticed a trend, the farther you are from this problem, the more alluring it seems, for example: If I say that I love taliban in Bajaur, people will beat me with whatever they have at hand possibly shoot me and then take me to meet all the families that have lost members to talib brutality. If I say the same in northern Punjab, people will say i'm an idiot, If I say it in southern Punjab, some people will say that I am a real muslim, same in sindh and If I say the same among some British muslims, they will embrace me, call me there brother, shower me in treasures and so.
To realize that Taliban are not as nice as they seem, people have to experience their brutality first hand, unfortunately, my community is that stupid, but I can't abandon them, so I try my best to bring them to their senses. There are not many Talib lovers in Pakistan, sympathisers, yes but very few lovers and facilitators I have met only one man who I have seen claim that TTP are warriors of God, here to correct the wrongs and rescue mankind, I got so upset that at the end of our argument that if Allah really does want me to kill people to gain his love, I would rather become an Atheist and go to hell, but I said that in anger, I know my religion does not preach hatred, how could a religion who's name means "peace" preach hatred and murder ?
Your people are aware what has happened to their country because of extremists. Thousands of men, women and children have been painfully severed off their lives that God had gifted them. You all have to make a social initiative that would make your government take notice.
The people are coming about, there is increasing awareness about the talibs, and people are realizing they are not fighting for muslims, rather, they are fighting for their own domination.
But unfortunately, the "Good Taliban, Bad Taliban" theory screws it for the people. They hate TTP but not Afghan Taliban, I find it very immoral to think that anybody who kills me is a terrorist but anybody who kills anybody else is a saviour.
I'm preaching against it, hopefully people will take notice and think rationally.
