Originally Posted by hkbajwa

Without a doubt. Whatever Pakistan is, it isn't in a full-blown state of war. Obviously a warzo e is less preferable.

Of course i also feel safer that you would presumably simply because this is home. I can see and undestand the nuances of behavior, and i can communicate in the local language. That goes a long way in ensuring my safety.

Well that is a function of cultural and geographical environment as well as the socio-economic status of the person concerned.

The hub of extremism in Pakistan lies in the western provinces. these provinces are primarily inhabited by the Pushtuns and Balochis. Both cultures are very patriarchal and are cultures that have developed in an environment of scarcity. Both provinces have scarce resources, little arable land, water shortages and overall less wealth than the eastern provinces.

It is a known sociological phenomenon that regions of scarcity tend to be more obsessed with lineage and inheritance rights. This is the reason for their subjugation of women. Heredity must be beyond question.

A region with scarcity also tends to breed a more fierce culture. A very good friend of mine comes from a rural background, and has in fact been shot once in an armed battle with a neighboring tribe. The men of these tribes accept the risk as a part of their life. They clearly accept that their life may be taken violently at any point in time.

However as a result of increased federal involvement, as a result of increased commerce and the slow implementation of Rule of Law, we find many young men who would be warriors for their tribe ( and make their lives accordingly) are no longer required. Yet they still have a need to battle for something. Combine this innate need for an enemy to combat with often lousy socio-economic conditions and you have a jihadi warrior.

Essentially the self-proclaimed "guardians of faith" exploit the innate tendencies of the local culture to train and develop fighters.

Even the weakest intellect, however, can see the futility of such actions. These actions make them unpopular not only abroad, but also locally. As i have stated many times, i am in more danger of dying from a suicide attack that any US citizen is. This risk factor shows int he population that is slowly but surely beginning to condemn these ideologies.

So no i have never had the opportunity to actually discuss such actions with a person who supports them. They are generally shy of the media and they find themselves incapable of dealing with questions ( often reacting violently even to verbal arguments ).

Well sectarian strife has been a constant companion through the 1400 odd years of Islam. what started essentially as a POLITICAL divide ( The Shias supported one caliph after Ali and the Sunnis another) has later developed into an ideological divide. Of course an ideological divide created social separation and the sectarian strife is essentially tribal in nature.


thanks for the welcome, but i been on this forum more than a year now