Islamist voices rise on Pakistani campuses

Mohammad Farooque Ahmed, a law student at Punjab Law College, says he was drawn to IJT's methods of instilling discipline and knowledge, and that peace and democracy are cornerstone values. "We motivate our workers to pay attention to their studies," he says, displaying a book where IJT students record daily activities, noting how often they've prayed and read the Koran. Itis presented to a supervisor at week's end.

As Muslims, IJT members say they believe that Pakistan should be governed by Islamic sharia law, but say they do not support the use of force. "We want to make a democratic system," says Shabir Ahmed, an IJT leader. "If people don't like Islam, we will not compel them."

Critics, however, say that IJT's strong-arm tactics at Punjab expose their ideological agenda. Four years ago, IJT spearheaded a movement for a walled-off cafeteria for women, points out professor Mujahid Ali Mansoori. "They would not allow a single boy and girl to sit alone," he says, adding, "When I was a student 30 years ago, it was a lot more liberal."

Professor Mansoori and other faculty say the incident is but one example of IJT's growing power, despite the fact that IJT is technically banned from campuses, the result of a 1992 Supreme Court ruling aimed at ending decades of political violence at universities. And, they say, its influence reaches into the ranks of senior administration.

Officials say they maintain the ban on IJT, but that the group benefits from influence gained in the 1970s and '80s. Still, they say, that influence is petering out. Muhammed Naeem Khan, the university registrar, says he is doing what he can to support that trend. "Whenever I have to exert force, I do," he says, adding, "I don't want to be fanatical in my approach. I don't chase every poster."

Dr. Khan says that the school recently expelled several IJT activists for engaging in political activities, including setting up booths to attract students.

But IJT posters are virtually the only wall adornments in one dorm - and virtually everywhere else on campus.

Afzaal Ahmed, though not a member, says students are compelled by religion to use force if they see improper behavior in public. "If you see some evil taking place, you must use power to stop it," he says, noting that he's seen IJT students attack others. Mr. Ahmed says, though, that IJT should not function as an unauthorized religious police force.

IJT's overall impact has been "pernicious," says Shaista Sirajuddin, chairwoman of the English department. "It's really destroyed the academic environment. It's erosive," she says. She cites incidents where IJT and supporters have tried - unsuccessfully - to remove books from the syllabus. "A small number of us are fighting a rear-guard battle against the closing of one's mind."

But she says that students still graduate with a sense of tolerance, and that she and others place their hope in students like Sarah Ahmed.

"People at this age are mature enough to know what's right and what is wrong," Ms. Ahmed says. "You can't impose your subjective viewpoint on them."

• Rashad Bukhari contributed reporting to this article.

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