Religion, Politics and Extremism in Pakistan

　　ABSTRACT: This paper examines the relationship among religion, politics and extremism in Pakistan.It studies the interactions between domestic politics and religion, between international politics and religion in Pakistan.It also analyzes the political mobilization by religious parties. The paper finds that religious forces, which were cultivated and used by the government, have slipped out of government control.Interaction between international politics and domestic religion has accelerated the process of radicalization of religious political forces resulting in extremism.Domestic religion has become more aggressive by religious parties’ infiltration into politics, into the institutions of education, the army and diplomacy. Pakistan has a long way to go in moderating the political situation and arrest religious extremism and militant fundamentalism that have taken strong roots in Pakistani society.