The Mullahs are not content with a share of power. They want to impose their agenda on state and society. The Musharraf led government talks big but gives in the slightest hint of trouble. This encourages the Mullahs to push even harder. All this talk of enlightened moderation is only for the consumption of the West.
The defining principle of this government is embarrassing retreat under pressure. Giving in on the issue of the religion column in passports is a typical example but this is just another in a long line of retreats.
It started with the blasphemy issue years ago when the government backtracked on the necessary changes in law to protect against unfair prosecution. It continued with the toning down of the honour killings bill in the National Assembly and its embarrassing silence on the proposed ‘hisba’ act in NWFP.