Daily Times

Sir: Ever since the war on terror started back in 2001, Pakistan has been a crucial part in its progress due to our closeness with the US. However, the impact of this war on the country and its people has been devastating to say the least. Our nation has lost more lives to terrorism than any other country in the world, with over a hundred thousand people dying due to terroristic incidents over the past decade and a half.

A few years ago, several high profile terrorist acts, especially the attack on the army public school in Peshawar, convinced the people in charge that renewed efforts needed to be made to get rid of such extremist factions that have taken refuge within our country, especially in our northern areas. Several military campaigns were initiated and the results were clear to see, with the number of extremist attacks going down with every passing year.

Yet, every few days, the few remaining remnants of such extremist ideology make themselves heard by popping up when we least expect it. Similarly, a recent attack on a police outpost in Gilgit resulted in the loss of life of three policemen, while two others were injured. They were attacked by eight to ten terrorists, who also lost two members due to returning police fire. This was another sad incident and it is my hope that the continued struggle by our army to rid us of these influences, results in the complete eradication of such extremist thought within our country. I, and the majority of our citizens, want to live in a peaceful world devoid of such horrific incidents, and my heart goes out to the families of the martyred, who, I hope, will get their revenge very soon.

MUSTAFA HASSAN

Lahore

Published in Daily Times, August 12^th 2018.