In fact, this Salafi group was in absolute conformity with Pakistan’s policy till 9/11 blurred the line dividing armed movements and terrorism internationally. And this is why Musharraf’s decision to ban the Lashkar was seen as a major step even as it did not match New Delhi’s demands.Almost a month ahead of Pakistan’s ban on Lashkar, Sayeed called a press conference on December 24, 2001, and officially distanced himself from the Lashkar, closed down the Markaz-Dawa-wal-Irshad and instead set up Jamat-ud-Dawa with an exclusive aim of dawa (preaching) and charity. In fact, the Dawa describes itself as "a multi-purpose movement that aims to spread the true teachings of Islam" which "works peacefully, regardless of the circumstances in the country (Pakistan)". Before Pakistan’s ban on Lashkar, Jamat-ud-Dawa had 1,150 organisational offices in Pakistan out of which 74 were at the district level.

The Lashkar was officially confined to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and Moulana Abdul Wahid Kashmiri was chosen as its new leader to give it an indigenous Kashmiri character while Zaki-ur-Rehman Lakhvi became the Lashkar’s supreme commander. These measures, announced publicly by Sayeed, did work and with the passage of time managed to evade a complete shut down by the Pakistani government.

Pakistan’s government, however, did respond with an iron fist to Deobandi groups. While the Pakistani army has waged a war against Tehreek-e-Taliban in FATA, the military action on Lal Masjid in the heart of Islamabad last year exhibited Pakistani establishment’s total intolerance to a threat to its authority. The mosque and its two affiliate Deobandi schools were run by two brothers, Abdul Rashid Gazi and Molvi Abdul Aziz, who vehemently supported “jihad against America” and openly condemned President Musharraf for joining the ‘war on terror’ campaign. Besides, Lal Masjid was actively involved in challenging the writ of the government in Islamabad by setting up a parallel judiciary inspired by Sharia law. The Pakistan Army’s ‘Operation Silence’ ended in a bloodbath at Lal Masjid, killing hundreds of students and Ghazi.

... contd.