PAKISTAN - The Havoc of Violence

"For Pakistanis, Violence Has 'Profound Impact' on Everyday Life" PBS Newshour 5/22/2012

Excerpt

SUMMARY: Pakistani documentarians Naziha Ali and Bushra Hyder, whose alternative teaching materials are now used by thousands of students, offer a first-hand take on what's fueling extremism in their country and what should be done about it. Margaret Warner reports.

MARGARET WARNER (Newshour): Across Pakistan, life is often interrupted by terrorist attacks and sectarian violence.

Last year alone, there were more than 600 bomb blasts. The Pakistani government says it's trying to fight extremism through military means and economic development. The United States is assisting with military aid and drone strikes to kill militant leaders, and by funding projects to boost the economy, civil society and education.

Recently, 12 Pakistani civic leaders, all women, came to Washington to meet with U.S. officials. Among them, Bushra Hyder is the founder and director of two schools in Northwestern Pakistan that seek to promote non-violence and tolerance. And Naziha Ali is a freelance journalist and documentary filmmaker in Karachi who's written widely on militant organizations.

I spoke to them at the Institute for Inclusive Security, a nonprofit group that promotes the role of women in conflict zones. They began by describing what it's like to live in the midst of so much violence.

Another significant excerpt

MARGARET WARNER: But, bottom line, you both are saying that this level, this continuing violence in Pakistan isn't going to change unless these cultural influences are changed. Is that right?

BUSHRA HYDER, school director: Yes.

You know what? The surprising thing and interesting thing is that, even in Pakistan, there is no public discourse regarding extremism. We only discuss the effects. But we are not talking about or not addressing the root causes and how are we going to tackle these extremist activities.

MARGARET WARNER: That's a very tall order, to change these cultural influences, isn't it?

NAZIHA ALI, journalist and documentary filmmaker: It may be a tall order, I agree. But the underlying fact is that people in Pakistan want to live in peace.