It is no coincidence that this trend comes at the same time as pressure increases to enforce Islamic law, aided by the safe haven jihadists have in much of the country. This article speaks of “Talibanization” as if it were an irresistible force of nature, overlooking the ideological conditions that have made it possible for conditions to deteriorate so quickly for Pakistani Christians. In other words, the Taliban didn’t invent the subjugation of unbelievers; rather, they have intensified its enforcement. “Muslim threats to Christians rise in Pakistan,” by Anjum Herald Gill for the Washington Times, October 4 (thanks to Sr. Soph):
LAHORE, Pakistan | Christians in Pakistan are feeling increasingly insecure after several violent attacks by Muslim extremists in the past two months.
In one case, eight Christians were burned to death by a Muslim mob after reports that the Muslim holy book, the Koran, had been desecrated.
Growing Talibanization of the country and a blasphemy law in place for two decades make non-Muslims, especially Christians, easy targets for discrimination and attacks, Christian and human rights activists say.
“The attacks on Christians seem to be symptomatic of a well-organized campaign launched by extremist elements against the Christian community all over central Punjab since early this year,” Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Chairwoman Asma Jehangir said at a press conference last month.
The situation has become so serious that Pope Benedict XVI and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari discussed it during a meeting Thursday at the papal summer retreat in Castel Gandolfo, near Rome, the Associated Press reported.
The Vatican said the two stressed “the need to overcome all forms of discrimination based on religious affiliation, with the aim of promoting respect for the rights of all.” …
That will face resistance within Pakistan and the rest of the Muslim world based on Islamic law, which calls for the subjugation of unbelievers (Qur’an 9:29).