I hear a lot of blame for the Lal Masjid incident falling on the “west”, but the operation took place after the kidnapping of Chinese workers in Islamabad, whereas before the government was willing to look the other way. On NPR this morning there was speculation that the Chinese government pressured Pakistan into finally taking action. Is this discussed in Pakistan, or does the blind love of everything Chinese put a damper on this discussion?
Re: Lal Masjid - the Chinese angle
Yes, mush himself mentioned that he had stern talk from the Chinese after their people were kidnapped. I think that was one of the main reasons the operation was launched. To lose China as a friend would jeopardize Pakistan's defence needs.
Can't expect terrorists or their supporters to understand this.
Re: Lal Masjid - the Chinese angle
One sad reality that we have to understand... How many Pakistanis would have to be humiliated, and abused before action would have been taken? If the Chinese were the first to be kidnapped, would the govt have bowed to the Masjid like they did after the arrest of Aunty Shamim or the police officers? And would the operation have taken place if they continued kidnapping Pakistanis and not foreign nationals?
Offcourse foreign nationals and particularly the Chinese are off limits, but I wish the govt had shown the same resolve when the Mosque people were kidnapping Pakistanis.