Shariah has been enforced in Swat. A ten day ceasefire has been announced by Mullah Radio. National and provincial political leaders are patting themselves on the back for a job well done. There is an article today calling it a landmark step of President Zardari and declaring that this step will stop “the valley from bleeding to death:
Will it really? Was the valley only “bleeding to death” because there was lack of a narrowed implementation of Shariah? Which law of this over legislated country is challenging the country’s Islamic credentials? Which is more in accordance with the Shariah : beheadings, hate speech over radio waves , terrorizing and threatening lawyers, shopkeepers and other citizens, or banning and burning girls schools ?
The government, both federal and provincial perhaps was trying to be pragmatic while agreeing to this agreement. If it is “pragmatism” it comes at a high cost. It will encourage others to demand implementation of their convoluted ideas by making citizens and government hostage through violence.
What purpose will this “enforcement of Shahriah” serve? And how long will it before someone else picks up the gun or hooks by a radio to demand some other baloney ?
Today is a sad day and no Mr. President this does not show that the `writ of the government “ has been established.