The heartbreaking terrorist attack at a church in Quetta, Pakistan ― on a Sunday (Dec. 17) and during the Christmas season ― does not come as a surprise. What is surprising is that the government of Pakistan, now widely criticized as a crucible for extremist indoctrination with its infamous blasphemy laws, persecution of minorities and tolerance for religious extremists, remains a recipient of U.S. taxpayer aid and a so-called partner in the war on terror.
Just a few weeks back, extremist rallies in Pakistan were in the news when hardliners demanded a bureaucratic election-form change that plays into the persecution of the minority Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. After several days of protests, the state finally caved in to the extremists’ demands. Clerics, who publicly call for their so-called holy war against whomever they deem as infidels, are believed to enjoy popular appeal, even state protection.
Hardline indoctrination appears so pervasive that Pakistani bloggers now argue that moderate Muslims in Pakistan have shifted into a minority.
Secretary Tillerson with Pakistan Prime Minister Abbasi. Tensions were reported during the visit to Islamabad in October, 2017
Pakistan’s bend to extremism has not gone unnoticed. In October of this year, a group of bi-partisan senators had approached the Trump administration to designate Pakistan as a CPC (Country of Particular Concern) that could subject it to sanctions. However, the senators have good reason to believe their recommendation will be shot down— it has every year since 2002.
Why is U.S. foreign policy so keen to turn a blind eye?
Pakistan is a serious geopolitical complication. In the 1980s, it became a major strategic front against the Russian occupation of Afghanistan and the existential threat of communism. Famously orchestrated by Texan Congressman Charlie Wilson, the U.S.-Saudi-Pakistani consortium poured in money, arms and holy warriors eventually booting the Russians out of Afghanistan. Buoyed by its success, the Pakistan army then ventured to redirect the emboldened holy warriors toward the disputed territory of Muslim-Kashmir which according to them was occupied by, like the godless Russians, idol-worshiping Indian infidels.
That led to a disastrous infusion of hardline clerics into Pakistani politics resulting in radical state-elements and laws. As Secretary Tillerson made a pit-stop in Islamabad recently, the United States Commission For International Religious Freedom called for the release of 82-year-old Ahmadi shopkeeper, Abdul Shakoor, arrested under Pakistan’s anti-terrorist laws for proselytizing his faith— a doctrine that runs contrary to the extremist narrative.
USCIRF Chairman, Daniel Mark, called on Pakistan government to release 83 year old Ahmadi-Muslim bookkeeper arrested on terrorism charges for proselytizing his faith.
It’s no wonder then that Osama Bin Laden was found in a villa-complex in the backyard of one of Pakistan army’s major military academies. This has raised suspicions and concerns about Pakistan’s willingness to fight extremism and serve as a partner in the war on terror. Although Pentagon officials cancelled a $300 million military-reimbursement payment raising these concerns, Pakistan may still receive $742 million in U.S. taxpayer aid in 2017.
American foreign policy officials’ reluctance to designate Pakistan as a CPC may have to do with the country’s extremist predicament, emphasized even by its long-time ally: China. Pakistan is a nuclear-armed state, and any attempts to isolate it with designations and sanctions could push it over the edge with a full blown implosion into the hands of extremists. As a defunct and shattered state, like Iraq and Syria, it would then be even more fertile ground for extremist recruitment and for factions like ISIS, now looking for a new home, who already have laid claim to the church bombing.
However the geopolitical cards may be decked, it is a hard reality that regimes that incorporate extreme and unfounded doctrines into law and in any way support terrorist factions, are endangering not only U.S. troops in foreign lands, but playing a hand in radicalizing to-be-terrorists like those who attacked the Methodist Church in Quetta.
The U.S. government’s hesitation on Pakistan may be understandable, but it’s not tenable. While our government bides its time and ponders over this dire dilemma, there is really one course-of-action for everyday Americans— keep prodding our government representatives to take greater notice of states that tolerate extremism which ultimately leads to terrorism.