The country is now in danger of ‘collapsing’ as it grapples with rebellion, militancy and extremism that is "getting worse" and the assassination last month of former premier Benazir Bhutto might increase unrest in Sindh, Chomsky told the Business Recorder newspaper in an interview.

Asked to draw a parallel between the situation in Pakistan and the characteristics of a failed state highlighted in his book "Failed States", Chomsky said, "I'm afraid to say Pakistan is the paradigm example of a failed state and has been for a long time. It has had military rule, violence and oppression.

"Since the 1980s, it has undergone an extremely dangerous form of radical Islamisation, which has undermined a good part of the society, under the Zia-ul-Haq tyranny."

He further said: "Now it is in danger of collapsing, there is a rebellion in Balochistan, the (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) territories are out of control and always have been -- and it is getting worse. It is possible that the Bhutto assassination might increase the severe unrest in Sindh, where there has been plenty of oppression, and this may lead to another secessionist movement."