Daily Times

In the wake of reports about the killing of the Afghan Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansour, the Punjab Home Department has issued a chilling terror warning that at least 17 suicide bombers have been deputed to target educational institutions in Punjab. Security alert has been issued to all educational institutions of Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad and Multan, as well as Bahaudin Zakariya University and Nishtar Medical College. Reportedly, six suicide bombers belonging to the Afghan Taliban and 11 to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (Sajna Group) have been assigned the task of wreaking havoc in Punjab. The latest security alert has sparked new fears among citizens, although government has already given a checklist of measures for better security of schools, including elevation of walls, installation of CCTV cameras, barbed wire and deployment of security personnel, besides imparting of training to students and teachers on the use of weapons.

Although a number of security measures have been adopted, yet many educational institutions still have inadequate security systems. The directive by Punjab government to close schools early, ordering an early start of summer holidays in the wake of harsh weather conditions would help mitigate the sense of unease people have regarding threat of terror in Punjab, but in the long run, the idea of early closure of schools is not a solution to the problem. School administrations have to come up with proper security arrangements, as vulnerability of educational institutes to terror attacks across the country is not an empty fear. Without indulging in any illusion that operations against militants have erased the danger of terrorism, people in general and government must remain alert to the possibility that everyone and everything is a potential target for terrorists. It is the collective responsibility of the parent body, faculty, school administration and government not to show any carelessness, and remain focused on providing a foolproof security dynamic to institutions where children study. There is a need to accept reality that we are engaged in a war with a hidden enemy who can attack any time. Mainstream media should also play its role and create awareness about the importance of proper security at educational. For a number of reasons it is difficult for government to deal with this situation without help from the public on all levels. It needs extraordinary measures and a solid, long-term strategy to eliminate the scourge of terrorism. The sole aim of terrorists is to spread violence and get a free hand to implement their agenda of hatred and intolerance in society. A strong opposition to the spreading of education is also a part of their nefarious designs.

A strong resolve is required by government to get rid of this dangerous phenomenon. A testing time for Pakistani government and its citizens, it is to be understood that the hugeness of school network is so vast in Pakistan no government alone, on its own, can ensure their security. Therefore it is imperative that every citizen in collaboration with school administration and government play his/her role for the safety of Pakistan’s future generation. To ensure the failure of agenda of terrorists against the cause of education, government must have a preemptive strategy. It must be understood that everyone is a stakeholder for making Pakistan peaceful, prosperous and a developed state. Terrorists come up with novel ways to attack and continue to change their tactics for causing more losses to the state and its agencies. There is a need to speed up intelligence-led operations to counter these heinous attacks. Unless the people initiate united efforts, no operation will yield desired results, and such news will continue to haunt Pakistan. Although it is almost impossible to stop a determined terrorist, yet efforts must be made to make it difficult for them, and possibly to the extent that they could be eliminated at their launching pads. *