Violent Extremist or Political Candidate? In Pakistan Election, You Can Be Both

Muslims - at least almost all of them - believe that Allah is all-powerful. If that's so, then cannot Allah deal with those, who displease? Thus, if Shi'ites displease Allah, why do Shi'ites exist? And if it does not please Allah to destroy Shi'ites, are not those - who seek to destroy Shi'ites - going against Allah's will? Should not a reasonable person infer that Shi'ites survival means their beliefs have Divine support? These comments apply equally to Christians and Jews, who also believe in an all-powerful deity. If it pleases the Supernal Power to keep alive Protestants, Shi'ites, Sunnis, Yazidis, Jews, Catholics, Hindus, Buddhists, etc., how can anyone - who recognizes that there is a Supernal power - claim to have a right attack these groups? In short, does not the Supernal Power have power adequate to support those, whose doings are worthy and to destroy those, whose doings are repulsive?

This could be one of the, clandestinely run, diplomatic op by our military establishment to export a soft and positive gesture towards Afghan Taliban, as pressure from US and NATO forces is mounting esp. from Trump administration to rid them from this 17 years old, un ending, inconclusive, and dollar draining venture.

Extremism has always been encouraged in Pakistan. Sadly, the US has become more extreme of late as well. Bad stuff spreads easier than the good. However, when the courts approve, then there is real trouble. Pakistan housed Bin Laden, protects and houses the Taliban, and is one of the worst countries in the middle east for violence, intolerance, and lack of law. They do this while lying to the West with their hands out. And we give it to them Why they receive one penny is beyond me, but as long as we pay evil, we will have more of it.

All the terrorist groups in Pakistan have been given birth to and supported by the Pakistani military. This started with Zia Ul Haq (with US support) and has now fully mushroomed into a monster that cannot be controlled. The Fourth Schedule and all such lists are ISI creations that are meant to give a veneer of controlling terrorism. They have calculated that Trump will not do much in the region as his plate is full with other issues. The Pakistani military establishment and the ISI are the root source of all Islamic terror in the region. The sooner the Financial Action Task Force puts Pakistan on the black list the better. International sanctions are the only tools left to save this failed state. But of course that won't happen as China will play its games. In the end, it is the ordinary Pakistani that pays the price.

Pakistani military establishment has a 70 year record of using extremists and extremist organizations in asymmetric warfare against India, Afghanistan and rival power centers internally. In recent years the military has eschewed seizing power directly as in the past, nonetheless it needs pliant politicians to protect its turf in financing, military affairs, domestic security and foreign policy. To keep politicians pliant and dependent, there are numerous corruption and treason charges against them and they work hand in glove with the judiciary and investigative services to throw any of them not falling in line in prison like 3 time Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. The electronic press also by and large only promotes what the military wants. Getting extremists to run in elections is a new tool the military is using against politicians. The electronic media projects these extremists as honest, pious and patriotic vs the regular politicians who are all corrupt traitors. This serves to split the right wing vote and threats of violence during the campaign and later serve to keep the politicians pliant. Because the intelligence keeps files on all the past doings of these extremists, they are always beholden to the establishment. The US should treat Pakistan as a rogue state like Iran and North Korea.

If Pakistan had not been a Sunni majority country, it would have been bombed into oblivion now. Instead West funds, arms and trains the worst elements in Pakistan ( in detriment to it's generally mild population) to destroy Iran and Russia. It's population is regularly fed tales about the need to keep vigilant because of villain India just like Americans and Europeans are kept in fear using Russian bugaboo. Remember, hate destroys the hated as well as the hater.

Tribal. Just like Afghanistan - always has been, always will be...

radicals are being "mainstreamed" while meanstream candidates are being rejected. great show by the judicial-military election engineers.