Daily Times

Sir: The bomb attack on the bus carrying Shia pilgrims is not a new incident. This was not out of the blue either. Ruthless, cowardly and shameless individuals have targeted innocent pilgrims belonging to the Shia community in the past also. This calls for proper security arrangements for the pilgrims, at least like the way arrangements are made for the bus service between India and Pakistan in Lahore. The question is: how can funds be arranged for the security personnel and their state-of-the-art ammunition to protect the indispensable rulers? But then, how would the helipad in Gujjar Khan be constructed? How would the politicians and the bureaucrats be guarded against all their adversaries?

It would only be fair if the people of Pakistan raise their voice against this criminal negligence of the institutions that are responsible for such a tragedy. We, the citizens of Pakistan, cannot just belabour about the withering away of our state, witness the slaughter of our people and smile at the infringement of our basic rights sitting before TV sets.

Irrespective of whatever party is at the helm of affairs, whichever style of government is adopted and whosoever dominates the decision-making, we cannot be mere spectators to this show.

I would urge the civil society and the state institutions, including the media and the judiciary, to make sure such incidents are averted in future.

GHULAM ZAIN-UL-ABIDIN KHAN

Lahore