Hard-liners dictated Pak protests agenda
Pakistan’s handling of protests against an anti-Islam film was a risky attempt to cash in on religious sentiment, analysts say, and could fan the flames of extremism in the troubled nation.
As anger raged across the Muslim world at the US-made “Innocence of Muslims,” the coalition government led by the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) declared Friday a public holiday and encouraged people to protest peacefully. But what was officially a “day of love for the prophet” ended in bloodshed and looting, with 21 people killed and more than 200 injured as angry demonstrators clashed with police, smashing up shops, cinemas and fast food outlets in major cities. More than 50 people have died around the world in violence linked to the low-budget movie. But if the Pakistan government’s intention in calling a public holiday was to take the sting out of the demonstrations on its own doorstep, the policy failed. There had been dozens of rallies against the film, some of which had led to clashes, but nothing on the scale of Friday’s violence.
While the number of protesters was relatively small — around 45,000 out of a population of 180 million — many carried the banners of extremist groups, and as often happens in Pakistan, their voices drowned out the forces of moderation. Najam Sethi, editor-in-chief of the Daily Times, an English-language newspaper, said the day of protest was a calculated move that backfired. “It was a gamble. They hoped and thought that the demonstrations would be peaceful,” he told AFP.
“And even when they saw this could turn violent, they did not do anything, or much, because they’re afraid, as they are already accused of being soft on the West.” Author and analyst Hasan Askari said the events showed the elected government had allowed a small but vocal minority from the religious right to dictate the agenda.
“As usual the government played on the wicket of religious elements and lost to them,” he told AFP.
“By declaring Friday as a holiday it did not keep the initiative with it. The initiative went in the hands of the religious elements.”
A general election is due in the next few months and with anti-US sentiment running higher than ever in Pakistan, the government thought it could seize the moment to boost its popularity, said Sethi of the Daily Times. “Everything, including this attitude, is also linked to the upcoming elections.”
