Sunday, January 21, 2007

Pakistan: Government Demolishes Two Mosques

Two mosques were demolished in Pakistan on Saturday, allegedly because they could have been used as bases for terrorist attacks on government officials and foreign dignitaries. The mosques were close to the main road that connects the Islamabad airport and government offices in the capital.

Hundreds of religious leaders condemned the destruction and suggested that the mosques were demolished to please foreign leaders, who persist in portraying Pakistan as the west's leading Asian ally in the "war against terror", even as reports continue to surface linking the Pakistani intelligence service ISI with respectable and peaceful groups such as the Taliban and the Tamil Tigers.

Reports from Pakistan concerning the demolitions did not specify the means by which the mosques were destroyed, but it's probably safe to assume they were not hit by airplanes before they were demolished.

Thus was a splendid opportunity missed.