WHILE extremism expresses itself in various forms and shapes, the views put forth by Sufi Mohammad represent a most pernicious strain of the phenomenon. His ideas which are shared only by a miniscule and highly primitive section of the population stand opposed to the moderate thinking of the Founding Fathers of Pakistan who stood for democracy, social justice, rule of law and modernism within the framework of a moderate Islam. Sufi Mohammad has rejected democracy and has expressed doubt about the credentials of the leadership of major religio-political parties who are operating within the framework of democracy, which he has castigated as a system created by Kuffar, or infidels, entirely incompatible with the Islamic Shariah. Like his followers in the Tehrik-e-Taliban-e-Pakistan, he considers all nation states in the Muslim world, including Saudi Arabia and Iran, as not being in conformity with Shariah. He refuses to consider the Kashmiris' struggle as jihad as this, in his view, is a struggle for a nation state or for joining Pakistan rather than for the enforcement of Shariah. The views would provide solace to New Delhi while strengthening the perception that some of the elements among the militants enjoy foreign backing. Sufi Mohammad's views about women are also highly primitive and in opposition to those of the Founding Fathers. The All India Muslim League led by the Quaid encouraged women's participation in the fight for Pakistan. For this, the party also created a women wing of the MSF. Some of the women Leaguers played prominent role in Pakistan movement. Others subsequently worked as legislators, ministers and ambassadors. Miss Fatima Jinnah not only stood by the Quaid in the struggle for Pakistan but also contested the Presidential elections against Ayub Khan with a number of prominent ulema supporting her candidature. Sufi Mohammad not only opposes female education but also disallows any movement of women outside the four walls of their homes with the sole exception of the travel to perform Haj. His ideas regarding women are out of sync with the times and amount to pushing the country back to the cave age. While Sufi Mohammad opposes any recourse to violent methods for the enforcement of Shariah, the TTP Swat, which looks up to him as an ideologue, refuses to lay down arms. On Sunday, a boys school was blown up while armed Taliban resumed patrolling the streets. They also beheaded two security personnel. TTP Spokesman Muslim Khan has once again reiterated the resolve to enforce a narrow interpretation of the Shariah all over the country through force of arms. This raises the question if Sufi Mohammad, who played the role of an arbitrator between the NWFP government and the militants, really has much influence over the Taliban.