Dawn Editorial: Mysterious silence

ONE extraordinary phenomenon in Pakistan has been the religious parties’ failure to condemn acts of terrorism in the name of religion. The Taliban have bombed mosques, shopping centres and other public places, killing and maiming innocent men, women and children. Yet, with rare exceptions, most religious parties and personalities have chosen to keep mum, giving the impression that they approve of terrorism. How else can one explain their refusal to condemn the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) latest threat to carry out suicide attacks across the country if military operations in Swat are not halted? By refusing to condemn the TPP threat, religious parties seem to side with the fanatics who are threatening to take over Pakistan through terror and mass murder. Instead of using their academic learning and influence to counter obscurantism, most religious parties have turned themselves into the Taliban’s allies. In that case, they should have the courage to declare so openly. Just as they did not condemn the Lal Masjid brigade’s mutiny last year, now too they appear indifferent to terrorism disguised as religion.