July 27, 2005
 

The military-mullah equation as per Mike Marqusee

Mike Marqusee, an American who lives in Britain nowadays, writes on a variety of subjects, including cricket, especially focussing on the sociological angle.

In the context of Pakistan's role in the London blasts becoming obvious, he writes in "The Guardian" about Musharraf's links with the radical Muslim clerics he calls 'mullahs' and how despite his talk of enlightened moderation, there is neither enlightenment, nor moderation. He quotes the Mukhtaran Mai episode, the lack of concern for human rights, action taken against women activists, barring women from running in a marathon along with men, etc.

He gets it totally right when he points out that only democracy and accountability can tackle terrorism, of the individual and state-sponsored varieties.

Labels: musharraf, pakistan, uk