Pakistan, Mosque and State

The conflict between an extremist cleric and the secular government in Pakistan is coming to a head, reports BBC.

The government is facing calls to clamp down on the activites of students in two madrassas attached to the mosque. If the government does take action, "our last resort will be suicide bombings", Mr Aziz declared. He also demanded that the government close down Islamabad's video shops and brothels within one month... Mr Aziz also said he had set up a Sharia law court at the mosque, made up of 10 clerics.

Pakistan has a well-formed secular civil society, which is loudly counterprotesting. Whether a peaceful, diverse left can stand against a violent, authoritarian right remains to be seen.