E/CN.4/1996/95/Add.1 page 15 70. Lastly, the present legislation, which is mainly inherited from the past, has tended and, it would appear, still tends to foster a culture of intolerance in society and does not appear to fulfil the purpose of integrating all components of Pakistani society. 2. Society 71. As a result of the combination of several factors, including current legislation and an environment influenced by special social structures, Pakistani society often appears conservative, little open to change and imbued with intolerance. These factors, combined with others, such as the lack of a civil society admitting countervailing forces, the behaviour of an elite often bent on preserving its own interests, a political system still in the process of democratization, a very low rate of literacy and a harsh economic and social environment, tend to make society more vulnerable to intolerance and expose it to the sort of religious extremism maintained by minority groups. 3. Extremism 72. In Pakistan, religious extremism is one of the main driving forces of religious intolerance, not only towards religious minorities, but also towards Muslims as well. This extremism is derived essentially from the use of religion for the political purpose of establishing the authority of religious/political parties. Such parties are clearly in a minority, as shown by their poor results in the recent legislative elections. Nevertheless, partly thanks to the Madrassadini (religious schools), and partly owing to the frequent use of mosques to spread political propaganda, religious extremists through their activism aim to dominate society, subjecting it to a climate of intolerance and sometimes insecurity, as appears from the serious violations of human rights (aggressions, threats, assassinations, etc.). This would explain the opposition facing government attempts to introduce a spirit of greater tolerance, especially by amending blasphemy proceedings or improving conditions in the Madrassadini and mosques. B. 1. Factors conducive to the elimination of all forms of intolerance and of discrimination based on religion or belief Official measures adopted 73. Apart from setting up a department in charge of minorities, a National Minorities Commission, a Federal Advisory Council for Minorities Affairs and District Minorities Committees, the Government has introduced a federal unit in charge of monitoring human rights violations. Cases of violence against minorities are reported to be under strict supervision and to be followed up by inquiries. 74. With regard to mosques, the Government has been trying for almost a year to restrict the use of loudspeakers to the faithful attending the mosques, subject to the confiscation of equipment in the event of abuse. The effect of this measure has reportedly been to limit the coverage of loudspeakers in some neighbourhoods or villages. A system is also said to have been