Progress in Pakistan

Pakistan is the seventh (7th) largest county in the world with a population of approximately 176,242,949 people according to the CIA world factbook.  Ninety-Five (95) percent of Pakistanis are Muslim and approximately five (5) percent are Hindu, Christian or Shik.  The vast majority of Pakistanis are Shia muslim which is not surprising given its close proximity to heart of Shi'ism in Iran.  The reason why Pakistan is important in addition to its vast population and proximity to Afghanistan is the fact that Pakistan possesses nuclear weapons and lots of religious lunatics.  During the Bush administration Pakistan was a valuable ally in the war on terror.  Pakistan at one time recognized the legitimacy of the Taliban government in Afghanistan and this has been just one of the poor decisions and strange history of support for hardline Muslim fanatics that has characterized Pakistan's past.  However, signs of real progress have appeared as a majority of Pakistanis now favor the military intervention against religious extremists in the NWFP and tribal regions, a traditional strong hold of Islamic militants.  Furthermore, a majority of Pakistanis oppose making peace deals and truces with Islamic militants because the Pakistani public now see such agreements as being non-productive and harmful to the overall peace of Pakistan.
A large majority of Pakistanis remain opposed to American military intervention in Pakistan and the use of unmanned drones in the tribal regions.  According to an article on the blog Hot Air by Ed Morrissey:

Still, 90% see religious extremism as a “serious problem,” up from 74% in March, the previous high. Having the Taliban and al-Qaeda operating in the country is seen a serious problem by 86%, up from 69% in March and just 45% in June 2008. Pakistanis support their own military operating in tribal areas by a 69%-28% split, but support for American efforts in these regions — always anemic — has decreased from 24% in March to 20% now.

The trend is Pakistan seems to be toward moderation and peace.  The fact that the Pakistani people are actively opposing the warped vision of Islam presented by Al-Qaeda and the Taliban is real cause for celebration.  As for the decrease in support for American operations in Pakistan this is understandable as no country wants to feel dependent on another country for freedom and protection.  America should continue to aid Pakistan in their fight against Muslim extremists despite this lack of moral support from the people of Pakistan.  We need to sensitive to the fact that although Pakistanis oppose terror they want to be masters of their own future and destiny.