Intellectual Resistence to Extremism in Pakistan: A Historical Discourse (25-04-15)

This paper attempts to explore and analyze the genesis and dynamics of extremism in Pakistan, phenomena which can have serious political implications for South Asia. While analyzing the evolution and growth of extremism in Pakistan, the underlying hypothesis of this paper is that Pakistani society as a whole, more specifically, its intellectuals, displayed strong resistance to extremism preached or practiced by any group or individual. Intellectuals from west Punjab, no less than those from other provinces and areas of Pakistan, were always in the forefront in all such political phases or instances. A general study of the times and literary works of Shah Hussain, Bullah Shah, Habib Jalib, Munir Niazi et al, will clearly reflect that throughout history, the Punjabi poets have never endorsed acts which might endanger human life and always stood up against violence and extremism. For them, human existence was not about hatred or violence. Instead, they always emphasised on unconditional love for humanity as a whole irrespective of caste, creed and religion.