Pakistani media has rallied behind military ruler Gen PervezMusharraf for his attack on religious groups despite threatening reactions fromfundamentalists.
The media, which studiously avoids criticism of theulema and the Jihadi groups, prominently displayed General Musharraf's tiradeagainst the clerics for making "tall claims" to hoist the Islamic flagover red fort and extended tacit editorial support to him.
They ignored violent reactions from extremist groupslike Lashkar-e-Toiba, which warned the military ruler of dire consequences formaking such remarks.
Extending support to the military ruler, 'the dawn' inan editorial said "Gen Musharraf's speech deserves to be applauded for itsutter candour, incisiveness and bold spirit".
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"Characterised by forthrightness even to the pointof bluntness, it might cause some eyebrows to be raised in some quarters, thespeech nevertheless provides food for thought for the large majority of thethinking section of the people who are increasingly troubled by the growingmanifestations of religious and other forms of bigotry and intolerance affectingvarious layers of society and the implications of these for the country'sfuture", it said.
The editorial said "Gen. Musharraf specificallyreferred to irresponsible talk (by religious hardliners) with regard to Indiaand the adverse effect it has on India's Muslim minority. This bravado, out ofproportion to harsh realities, also affects Pakistan's image in the outsideworld, especially the west, and helps those anti-Pakistan's lobbies which arevery keen to have this country declared a rogue state".
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'The nation' daily said "anyone aware of how aparticular section of ulema had opposed the creation of Pakistan and defamed itsfounding fathers would readily concede that the practice of using religion forulterior political motives must be stopped".
"No investor will risk money in a country whereterrorist outfits not only can kill with impunity senior governmentadministrators and policemen, but also threaten judges trying their cases",it said, adding "this has gone on too long and there is a need to put astop to it now".
Gen Musharraf's speech also received support from the Urdupress. The 'Jung' daily said "...We should realise that the claims ofraising flag on the red fort are contrary to the dignity of Islam and thenation. Such statements distort Pakistan's image".
Another Urdu daily 'Pakistan' said religious leadersshould identify such elements in their parties and groups, which have beendamaging country's image abroad and fulfill their responsibility towards thenation.
