Pakistan politicians ‘mainstreaming extremism’

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s politicians, including prime minister hopeful Imran Khan, are mainstreaming extremism by invoking hardline issues like blasphemy to get votes, analysts say, warning that the tactic could deepen sectarian fractures and potentially spill into violence.

The warnings come as Pakistan confronts anger over a new wave of militant attacks that killed 175 people at campaign events ahead of nationwide polls today.

The country’s persecuted religious minorities are on guard.

“Previously, it was only a bunch of extremists spreading hatred against Ahmadis,” said Amir Mehmood, a member of a community that has long been targeted by extremists in Pakistan, particularly over blasphemy.

“Now, mainstream parties like PTI (Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-eInsaf ) are doing it.”

Ahmadis consider themselves Muslims, but their beliefs are seen as blasphemous in most mainstream Islamic schools of thought. They are designated non-Muslims in Pakistan’s constitution.

Khan, the cricketer-turnedpolitician who is the main challenger in the polls, caused concern in recent weeks with his fullthroated defence of Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy laws, which carry a maximum penalty of death.

The state has never executed a blasphemy convict, but mere accusations of insulting Islam sparked mob lynchings and murders.

International rights groups have long criticised the colonialera legislation as a tool of oppression and abuse.

Analyst Amir Rana said “there is a shift” in this election.

“Mainstream political parties are also exploiting the religious narrative.”

He predicted that this change would deepen sectarian divides, empower radical groups and could provoke violence.

Khan may simply be trying to target the PML-N with his comments on blasphemy, said minority activist Kapil Dev.

But when the potential next prime minister of the country shared an inflammatory stance with extremists, “people take it seriously”, he warned.