Lahore, The problem of religious extremism generated during Zia’s era when the state took up the responsibility to enforce Islam in Pakistan’s society. The foreign policy during that period also contributed to grow religious extremism through establishing the transnational links. This was stated by Dr. Hasan Askari Rizvi, an independent political and defense analyst, in special lecture at Department of Political Science Lahore College for Women University (LCWU) here on Thursday. Students of M.Phil and Ph.D level attended the lecture. Head of Political Science Department Dr. Mobina Ali and members of faculty were also present.

Dr. Rizvi shared his views about religious orthodoxy and extremism and epitomized that An important change emerged on global panorama after 9/11. Pakistan adopted a kind of ambiguous attitude towards religious extremists and orthodox and this policy was different to the past one when Pakistan supported religious groups without any discrimination. After 9/11 Pakistan had to reshaped its foreign policy in accordance with the changing international situations. Militancy and religious revivalism is found in other religions in this world but there is a great intension on Islamic movement as it has become kind of transnational movement. The problem is that today any group whether it is religious, militant or orthodox always find first historical evidence to support their point of view and also interpretation of islam to support their ideas because all these traditions exist in muslim history and special in south asia.

We have three kinds of group today in Pakistan. Firstly it is political religious parties which contest elections. Secondly we have a host of ultra Islamic clergy and religious leaders who are based in mosques, madrisas and shrines and some of them are also linked with political parties. And finally a range of militant groups. Though a large of Pakistanis support religious group and religious political parties yet they think it better to give power, by democratic process, to general political parties which only own islam but not claim to be extremist in this regard.