What if Islamic revolution occurs in Pakistan?
Mark N. Katz 1/26/05 A EurasiaNet Commentary Pakistan, with approximately 159 million people, is one of the most populous countries in the Muslim world. It is also a country where radical Islamic ideas have attracted a broad following, and where Islamists already wield a significant amount of political influence. Could Pakistan succumb to an Islamic revolution? The likelihood may not be high at least over the near term. But this possibility ought to be considered since the consequences of it occurring would be enormous. Gen. Pervez Musharraf, who as president and army chief effectively runs Pakistan as a strongman, has faced strong opposition to his leadership in recent years, underscored by several unsuccessful assassination attempts against him. In late December, for example, Islamist legislators complained bitterly about Musharraf’s decision not to step down as army chief, as he previously agreed to do. Islamist influence is strongest in North-West Frontier Province and in the triba
