The imposing, black-bearded politician in a striking white turban takes the stage at a campaign rally in northwest Pakistan as a song about Islamic holy war blares over loudspeakers. Before a chanting crowd, he praises the Afghan Taliban and blasts Pakistan's government for not protecting Osama bin Laden from U.S. commandos.
Maulana Shujaul Mulk is one of hundreds of
candidates from hard-line Islamist parties running for office in this Saturday's
national elections. Many analysts expect the Islamists to win more support than in the
last vote five years ago, raising concerns about the impact they could have in a
country already plagued by rising intolerance and a deadly Taliban
insurgency.
The Islamists could also make life more
difficult for their avowed enemy, the United States, which needs Pakistan's help
to fight Islamic
militants in the country and negotiate an end to the war in neighboring
Afghanistan. The parties are seen as close to Pakistan's powerful army, which
has allegedly used them to put pressure on the U.S. at troubled times in the
relationship. Read more
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Pakistan elections: Christians are tired of meaningless rhetoric
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