ISLAMABAD -- In signaling a turnaround in Pakistan's policy toward Islamic militant groups, President Gen. Pervez Musharraf, the country's military ruler, is keen on setting a new course -- almost two decades after former military ruler Gen. Mohammad Zia-ul-Haq actively began promoting the concept of "jihad" (holy war) by backing resistance to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
A ban on five leading militant groups ordered by Pakistan's military regime could be characterized as just the tip of the iceberg. New laws obliging Pakistanis to seek official permission before establishing new "madrassa" (religious schools) are bound to take some of the sting out of militant activities.
Such schools have been central to the campaign by militant religious groups to train young volunteers in the art of warfare. Exposed to ideologically tough messages, the students are sometimes armed before being sent to fight in one holy war or another.