What is happening in Pakistan today has its roots in religious fundamentalism. It is a culmination of decades of misguided policies.
Pakistan made some very critical mistakes early on. Without going into too much depth, Pakistan was initially envisioned by its founder as a secular muslim majority state. Adopting Islam as the state religion IMO has played a critically adverse role in shaping the country. Although in all fairness I think the events post-partition induced Pakistan to define itself relative to India, which thankfully has remained secular, however imperfect.
The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and Zia stand out as the primary reasons for the proliferation of religious fundamentalism through the length and breadth of the country. Both the US and Pakistan used Islam for their strategic motives, which is a bad idea to begin with, but Zia spread the ideology like wildfire throughout the country without at least trying to confine it to particular part of the country. Fundamentalists were given a free hand to spread their message and churn out thousands of recruits each year. They have been in operation since the 80's and they have only grown in number.
-There is an entire generation of fundamentalists in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Whatever the strategic imperatives, as an Islamic country Pakistan should have been mindful of using religion as a tool. Sadly, this is human nature, there are examples throughout history. Usually, innocents end up paying for it.
Combined with the incompetence of civilian leaders, Pakistan's tense relations with India allowed the military to seize power and divert resources to its ends. Zia is the perfect example, a civilian leader would have probably been a little more cautious.
Poverty breeds discontent so it is definitely a major factor but one can't blame the entire phenomenon on poverty itself in this case. The Naxal insurgency in India for example
is primarily due to poverty and neglect. With the Taliban however, money is just as important as illiteracy and religious extremism, which they can cultivate for their ends.
Pakistan needs to tackle the ideology and not just symptoms. This is why extremism has to be countered on all fronts, if not today, then tomorrow the problem will crop up again. Pakistan today is keeping its options open wrt the Afghan Taliban and the LeT (let's not beat around the bush). While this
might serve short term interests, in the long term, the country will be back to square one. The innocents who are dying today would have died in vain.
If Pakistan cannot see the dangers of allowing this ideology to persist after all these attacks, even when it comes to Kashmir and Afghanistan (after the US withdraws), then its just sad. I understand that Pakistan has made efforts, but Pakistan has rationalized the existence of such groups to further its objectives in the past, and its no secret that the mindset still prevails.
With all the confusion and conspiracy going around in the Pakistani media today, I doubt the country will ever come to terms with the situation.
If you were given the option of a night with the three most beautiful ladies in the world or 3 million dollars, you would take the 3 million because it secures your familys safety, well being and etc..
Hmmm....money comes, money goes.