one down, rest to follow?

I am sure that folks in India find it hard to believe when pakistan says that it has problems dealing with terrorists on its own soil. Maybe the news that the government has agreed to impose Sharia law in the Swat district will go some way in convincing people. This will turn out to be a major source of concern for US and India. But the reason i linked to this specific article is that I have issues with its tone, which argues that the government is trying to undercut the militants and also points to benefits of speedier justice under the new system. Speedier justice is not necessarily the right justice. The author is essentially clutching at straws, trying to find a light at the end of the tunnel. But i don't see how it's good in anyway except maybe buy the government some time before the militants make the same case for regions outside Swat. And it is a graver cause for concern considering that Swat is not part of FATA, which has traditionally been the cause of headaches for the Pakistani administration.This is a decision that the government will probably regret moving forward. They have just awarded the "Achievement of the Year" award to the taliban. Having tasted success with terror , the mentally deranged are bound to expand their scope of operations and next thing you know, education for girls is banned and all the barbers are going out of business. The trouble with Sharia or with any other religious justice system is that it is arbitrary, subjective and highly interpretive. I am not sure when the civilian pakistani government is going to grow a spine and tackle this problem head on. I am sure the Americans are hoping and wishing that Musharraf was allowed to remain power in right now. For the sake of the region, let's hope that this is the last area that needs to be ceded to Taliban authority in Pakistan

As a side note, for people looking for a Pakistani point of view on the geo-political situation in Pakistan, India and Afghanistan, do drop by for a cuppa at Pak Tea House. Worth your time!!

-shri