Threat of Extremism

The threat of extremism in Pakistan would not have become serious had the state actors and those who wield considerable power taken the serious interest in dealing with causes which led to the deepening of extremist thinking in some segments of society. Military, bureaucracy, feudal oligarchy and political parties failed to visualize the mushrooming of extremist and militant groups in Pakistan. Particularly the military establishment, which remained at the helm of affairs for a long period of time miscalculated the capability and nuisance value of those groups who were patronized for years for various reasons.