Is Pakistan a Failed State?

Legal organizations in Pakistan have expressed strong support for the assassin of Punjab's governor, Salman Taseer. They are not defending his right to a fair trial; they are defending his actions. The first paragraph of the above-linked article:

Lawyers showered the suspected killer of a prominent Pakistani governor with rose petals when he arrived at court Wednesday and an influential Muslim scholars group praised the assassination of the outspoken opponent of laws that order death for those who insult Islam.

The first tasks of any government are to protect its people and enforce the rule of law. The Pakistani people no longer have either of these things. In this country of nearly 200 million people, the supposed guardians of the latter have laid aside their duty in solidarity with one who attacked the former, a murderer and a traitor. It is a black time for Pakistanis especially, but we will all feel the repercussions.