Daily Times

The caretaker interior minister’s presser regarding the general vulnerability of politicians during the election season against terrorist threats has come as a much-dreaded reminder. An overwhelming 16 years after Pakistan’s democracy crumbled under the weight of a heart-wrenching assassination of a beloved leader in Rawalpindi, we have yet to establish a peaceful political climate.

While the interim setup has repeatedly made note of its commitment to “meet the requirements of the Election Commission” to ensure the people are provided with an opportunity to exercise their constitutionally mandated right, history is replete with chilling accounts of murder attempts made on numerous politicians. A significantly large number dares to step outside and interact with the masses despite receiving serious death threats.

Last month, the PML(N) supremo’s return to Pakistan was marred with reports of high-security alerts keeping the Punjab administration on its toes to ensure protection for the Sharif brothers. That political leaders carry a target on their backs around the developing world merely because their ideas do not sit well with someone in the powerful quarter speaks volumes about a collective moral tragedy. But far more pertinent in this bloodied conundrum is the resurgence of militancy. After a brief period of calm, 2023 is proving to be a big push towards the dark ages where not a single day would pass without a terror attack.

There could not be a greater manna from heaven to these blood-thirsty outfits than brimming rallies, which see mainstream leaders throw caution to the wind so that they can better connect with the vote bank. It can only be hoped that counterterrorism intelligence will be in its perfect form as the political temperatures rise.

Only a razor-sharp focus on notorious chatter and a strengthened resolve to prove the writ of the land can deliver a catastrophe-free campaign and general polls. However, once the tide has settled, both Islamabad and Rawalpindi would have to pull the proverbial bull by its horns. The debate on terrorism should centre on both what motivates someone to manipulate fear through violence and what enables him to sneak in and very conveniently shatter peace. It is just as important to know the aspirations of whoever fires the shot as to find out about the identity of those who paid for his bullet. *