The ease with which the Lashkars and Jaishs of the Kashmiri jihad are allowed to operate makes a joke out of the Pakistani government’s “ban” on militant organizations.

Banned militant organisations are taking advantage of people’s sympathies with the earthquake victims by collecting donations for the “mujahideen” on the unofficial Eid day in Peshawar.

“Donate generously to the Jaish-e-Muhammad’s mujahideen,” a bearded young member of the organisation was heard shouting near Baghan-e-Naaran Park in Hayatabad. [DT]

During the draconian Operation Cleanup of the 90s, even admitting to being an MQM worker was reason enough for one to be dragged off by the “agencies.” That operation was directed against the third-largest political party in Pakistan: one with significant popular support, and seats in the National and Sindh assemblies.

I am not drawing any sort of equivalence between the jihadis and the MQM. Or suggesting I would support the same kind of quasi-fascist measures against the jihadis — I wouldn’t. But I do want point out just what the authorities are capable of once they are serious about an objective.

What conclusion are the people supposed to draw other than that the government isn’t serious about shutting down the Kashmiri jihad? How long and at what cost will this farce continue?