Do not read much between the lines

Submitted by Amitabh tripathi (India), Sep 21, 2005 at 07:23

Words of appreciation from Daniel Pipes for Musharraf speech is understandable.But he seems believing much on his phrase "Enlighten moderation" of Islam.
Since 9/11 western world relying much on Pakistan in war on terror.It look as they are searching another "Ataturk" in general Musharraf.It is not bad idea at all but you have to keep it in mind Pakistan is run by mullah-military combination.General Musharraf is not out of coverage area of this combination.Few months ago he give green signal to form an Islamic commitee within military to monitor public life in Pakistan whether Islam is obeyed in it or not.It was said Musharraf done this under the pressure of his corp commanders who are not happy with his secular outlook and want him to follow the path of late Jia-ul-Haque.
Two years back he promised to regulate all madrassas of his country but still lot of madrassas are teaching radical Islam and publicly denouncing government policy of registration of madrassas.These are the two examples to prove how much General Musharraf has changed mindset of mullah-military combination of his country.
It is no secret for any body that two wanted Islamic clerics for London blast took shelter in Lahore based headquarter of Jaish-E-Mohammad and Lashkar toaiba but Pakistan government did not allow raid in madrassas where they were hiding.In this scenario it is very hard to believe General Musharraf as one of voices of moderate Islam.He himself could be follower of moderate Islam but he is unable to change the character of his country.
Musharraf's new born love for Jews is more diplomatic than realistic.Some international climate and strategic compulsion has compelled him to move in this direction.He has very good quality of public relation which prevents people from analysing his real intentions.So it will be too early to read much between the lines in his speech.

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