The Taliban threat forced Malala’s home town Mingora' administration not to organize any function to commemorate the first anniversary of the cowardly attack on her, Oct 09. Pakistani politicians, pledges and requests to hold peace talks have raised the Taliban' morale to new heights. They have warned the booksellers not to deal with the recently released Malala' biography, ‘I am Malala’, or face dire consequence.
Whether it’s Malala, or Dr Abdus Salam, the only Pakistani to win a Nobel Prize, both were exiled by religious extremists. It's a pity this mentality is not limited to uneducated medieval time warriors called Taliban. It has spread among the educated, intellectual and trend setters as well. Molvee Abdul Aziz of Lal Masjid who led the rebellion against Pakistani State in 2007, who openly threatened to unleash thousands of suicide bombers, has been cleared of all charges. However, former President Pervez Musharraf has been arrested, Oct. 10 for ordering Operation Silence against terrorists holding up hundreds of male and female students as human shield in Lal Masjid. Again there is nothing to wonder about, when a counsel of Molvee Abdul Aziz can be made judge in Islamabad High Court?
MASOOD KHAN,
Saudi Arab, October 11.