Karachi: As Pakistan steps up the fight against the Taliban in the North West Frontier Province, the military action is finding support in major cities.
"The operation which took place was the right option for the army because they are not doing it for Islam. They want to control the areas which are made for Pakistan, for everyone to go there and we feel it's the right decision from the army," said Irum Jalal Azeem, a social worker.
People in Lahore and Karachi are sending letters to the President, Prime Minister, Army Chief and the chief justice asking them uncomfortable questions.
"It makes us very angry that we voted for a secular government and their mandate was not that they would give up territory and agree to whatever was being said to them on gunpoint," put forth actress Samina Ahmed.
A couple of days ago, the government established Sharia courts in Malakand division - a key demand of the militants. Many feel it goes against Islam.
"If our women are being flogged in public, if our men are being beheaded for whatever reason, it is inhuman, it is un-Islamic. It is certainly not ordained in the Quran and for these people to be doing this in the name of Islam is absolutely blasphemous and the entire country is now standing up and saying, you know what... this is not what Islam is about and we are not going to be taking it. That's why we are here today," said Ayeshah Alam Khan, an actress.
In the drawing rooms of the elite, contingency plans are being made of fleeing the country in case the Taliban gain more ground.
But some are willing to fight it out.
"I am a dual national. I am a British Pakistani and I have been living here for about 20 years. And I feel very much a part of it. I live here, I am married here, my work is here and so I am not going to go anywhere and that is not the answer. Everyone says you can go back to the UK, but that is not the answer. You have to stay here and do something, because you have been living here and this is your city," opined Sonia Cheema, an Auto Mechanic.
Following the success of the campaign in both Lahore and Karachi, the Pakistani civil society is all set to take their protest international on May 6, when a similar rally will be held outside the Pakistan Consulate in New York.
As the voices against Talibanization grow louder and the protests transcend boundaries, Pakistanis across the globe hope their efforts will serve to bring back the essence of Jinnah's secular Pakistan.