DAWN Editorials - 11th March 2025

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Maulana’s message

EVER since the rapid rise of global religiously inspired militancy over two decades ago, Muslim governments and ulema have tried to build counter-narratives using religious arguments to checkmate terrorists.

On a recent visit to the Darul Uloom Haqqania to condole the deaths of Maulana Hamidul Haq Haqqani and others in a suicide bombing, cleric and politician Maulana Fazlur Rehman also deployed faith-based arguments to denounce those behind the violence. To his credit, the JUI-F chief was quite bold in his rejection of militancy, saying that killing Muslims was not jihad but terrorism. He pulled no punches, describing those involved in acts of violence as “murderers … criminals”. As Pakistan confronts a fresh wave of terrorist violence, few political or religious leaders are willingly to so openly slam the fanatical forces involved in bloodshed by misinterpreting religious precepts. In that sense, Maulana Fazl’s efforts deserve kudos.


However, it will take more than zealous speeches and fatwas to turn the tide against religiously inspired militancy. Firstly, we have to acknowledge our own mistakes, which have enabled the terrorist threat to grow in lethality and reach. For decades, the state itself promoted jihadi groups, until a U-turn was made post-9/11.

Moreover, most clerics themselves were all for using religious fighters in the battlefields of Afghanistan and held Kashmir. Many of the terrorists that today threaten Pakistan were either directly involved in, or inspired by, these conflicts. It should be remembered that the Haqqania madressah itself was considered a ‘jihad university’ for mentoring many of the leaders that would go on to form the Afghan Taliban. The problem now is that most jihadi fighters and ideologues refuse to end their ‘struggle’ on the advice of the state or mainstream clerics. In fact, takfiri groups look upon Muslim governments and moderate clerics as ‘apostates’.


So while Maulana Fazl’s words may have an effect on young madressah students or those sitting on the fence, they will do little to dissuade hardened fighters. Plus, attempts have been made in the past, such as the Paigham-i-Pakistan fatwa in 2018, as well as Gen Musharraf’s ‘enlightened moderation’ scheme, to use religious arguments against militants, with limited results.

Without doubt, it is important for influential clerics to speak with one voice against terrorism. But a lot more is required to truly defeat the monster of militancy. This includes kinetic action, as well as deradicalisation efforts. It must also be said that the mushroom growth of seminaries — with little to no oversight by the state — also aids extremism and contributes to militancy. The road to a more moderate and peaceful Pakistan is a long one, but it is essential that the state and the ulema play their part in pointing the nation in the right direction.

Published in Dawn, March 11th, 2025


President’s speech


PRESIDENT Asif Zardari, addressing Monday’s joint session of parliament to mark the start of a new parliamentary year, ticked off a standard list of all the things one expected to hear on the occasion. There was the usual concern about health and education, the welfare of Pakistan’s young population, and growing incidents of terrorism. He also dutifully extolled the government’s economic successes. There was the standard lip service to good governance, strengthening democracy, restoring public confidence and establishing the rule of law that is expected in all parliamentary speeches. The president took care to thank Pakistan’s foreign partners for their support and reaffirmed Islamabad’s diplomatic commitments, and also did not forget to give due consideration to CPEC and its centrality to Pakistan’s interests. All in all, the speech was as usual as they come. To his credit, Mr Zardari also offered some subtle and not-so-subtle criticism of the government’s shortcomings and placed on record the PPP’s disagreement with the six new canals planned on the Indus, urging the rulers to revisit policies that were placing a strain on the federation and come up with “viable, sustainable solutions”.

The speech may not be remembered so much for its substance as for the accompanying spectacle. The opposition, too, stayed true to custom, disrupting the proceedings with rowdy catcalls and sloganeering against ruling parties and in favour of jailed former PM Imran Khan. So raucous was the protest that it was often difficult to make sense of Mr Zardari’s words. One was struck by how closely the image of the president sombrely reciting Pakistan’s challenges while chaos unfolded around him resembled the state of the wider country. It has often seemed as if all of our present challenges have been eclipsed by a political dispute that has taken up the entirety of the nation’s attention. The president seemed cognisant of this reality. “Think of the unity and consensus our country so desperately needs,” he urged the elected representatives present. “Democracy needs give and take, and what better place to work on collective goals than this parliament?” he asked. He may as well have been speaking to the walls: at that moment, our elected representatives were too busy hurling invectives at each other. Good speeches alone cannot make things better. The country needs more than words; it also needs commitment and action.

Published in Dawn, March 11th, 2025


Indian takeover

BY the time the Champions Trophy final ended, the only indicators that the tournament had been hosted by Pakistan were the branding inside the stadium and the golden embroidery on the white jackets worn by winners India. Sunday’s title match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium was all about India; its triumph capping its takeover of the tournament from Pakistan. Rohit Sharma and his men had won unbeaten, without setting foot in the country that was supposed to host it. But while they did showcase their prowess as arguably the world’s best limited-overs side, their glory will be overshadowed by the politicking that preceded it. India had refused to play in Pakistan and the International Cricket Council bowed to its demand. India played all their games in Dubai whilst the other teams travelled across Pakistan and then to the UAE to play against the Indians. India had a permanent home base and, as it transpired, it seemed they — with former Board of Control for Cricket in India secretary Jay Shah now ICC president — were the organisers of the Dubai leg. So much so that in the final, the presence of PCB officials was limited to tournament director Sumair Ahmed. Even he was not there at the presentation ceremony.

The balance of power is in India’s favour but they also have the winners to take them to glory. They made a home away from home and used it to their full advantage. In contrast, Pakistan could not even benefit from home conditions. Their tournament was over in five days after losses to vanquished finalists New Zealand and India in their opening two matches. Unlike the two finalists, they looked under-prepared and the debatable quality of the personnel was also laid bare. It was catastrophic. Returning Pakistan to the top of the world game will be an arduous challenge. But for now, that is India’s place — it has the team and the influence to hold on to it.

Published in Dawn, March 11th, 2025