Many political leaders and neutral observers have expressed concern over the pre-electoral process. But one electoral fault-line that no political leader seems to be concerned about is participation of extremist individuals in the elections. Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan whose election campaign is based on hate speech and glorification of a convicted murderer (Mumtaz Qadri) has been threatening opponents, but the law enforcers remain unmoved. Independent candidate from Karachi Jibran Nasir and his team were attacked by violent mobs belonging to the said group multiple times during their campaign and despite repeated requests, Election Commission and other relevant authorities have not taken notice of the attacks. Providing security to candidates and keeping a check on incitement to violence during election campaigns is the caretaker government’s responsibility, but the authorities remain missing in action. Meanwhile, also concerning is the major political parties’ act of appeasing the members of banned outfits to get electoral support. While Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto recently objected to the ‘mainstreaming’ of banned outfits, this did not stop his party’s candidates from seeking support of such individuals for elections. Other parties are guilty of the same. Several candidates from PML-N, PTI and PPP have formed alliances with leaders of sectarian group Ahl-e-Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ). Former PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi is among the politicians who visited the extremist outfit’s office for making electoral arrangements. At a time when Pakistan is having a tough time convincing the international community about its sincerity in war against terror, the last thing we need is electoral involvement of banned terror groups. And political leaders’ contacts with such groups add insult to injury. Some progressive activists made efforts to stop these groups from contesting the elections by knocking the door of both Election Commission and the judiciary, but all attempts went in vain. Because the state seems to be on the path of ‘mainstreaming’ violent extremist groups. Mainstreaming them would be tantamount to endorsing the bigotry they have been practicing. But with general elections just two days away, the onus now lies on the people of Pakistan to reject religious extremists. We have lost countless citizens to the senseless violence in the name of religion. It is time to stand up against it and reject those who seek to divide us. * Published in Daily Times, July 23rd 2018.