Pakistani minister killed for refusing to wear veil

Zilla Huma Usman, a Pakistani government minister and woman's activist, has been killed by Islamic extremist because she refused to wear a veil.

More here.

Another example of a pattern of fundamentalism in Islamic countries considered allies in the "war on terror" (or whatever this weeks catch-phrase is). We also see the same kind of stuff going on in Afghanistan and in Iraq, even in the areas presumed to be under allied control.

In the short run, the Western countries needs to put pressure on Pakistan to ensure that justice is served. In the long run, we should work together with Pakistan, Iraq, and Afghanistan to ensure that a more progressive view of women get more widespread. This is probably best done through education, not only of the men, but also of the women.