The month of December is already recalled as a bloody one for Pakistan — primarily owing to the 16 December, 2014 attack on Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar. Again another heartrending incident happened on December 2, 2017 when the terrorists got into the Agriculture Training Institute Peshawar and killed 9 people — 6 of them were students. The stirring thing is that the law enforcement agencies including KP Police and Pakistan Army responded quite well and thrashed the terrorists. Alas! We still lost 12 precious lives.
The fear that this type of attack instils, especially in the minds of the parents of children is inconceivable. Factually speaking, the nation of Pakistan is resilient and has been facing terrorists for a long time. About this attack, the role of LEAs including police is laudable. If a quick response had not been given, there might have been more loss of lives — we have seen in the case of APS in which 141 people were killed, 132 of them were students. It is impossible to believe that there are people who can slay people the way the terrorists have been.
Pakistan has paid a very heavy price in this war on terror. Though the terrorist incidents declined in 2017, but still we are still seeing some of them from time to time. According to Economic Survey of Pakistan 2016-17, financially, Pakistan has to spend $123.13 billion. Besides, 70,000 people have lost their lives — most of them are civilians.
The recent attack is a clear indication that much is still needed to be done. Our western border is insecure and vulnerable. It is not hard for perpetrators to come into Pakistan for carrying out their nefarious plans. Afghanistan also complains about groups that use our territory to attack targets across the border. How is it possible that terrorists keep killing people on both sides with impunity?
The recent attack is a clear indication that much still needs to be done. Our western border is insecure and vulnerable. It is not hard for perpetrators to come into Pakistan for carrying out their nefarious plans. This is a reality too, on the other side, that they are getting aid from within Pakistan. How is it possible that the terrorists are successful in killing people without getting inside support?
According to media reports, Taliban claimed the responsibility for the attack. It is better to call them terrorists as this word suits them best. Those having leniency towards terrorists need to reconsider their choice. Pakistan cannot bear any more terrorist attacks.
The major reason for the recurring attacks is the lack of focus over border management by successive governments. The local politicians are the leading hurdle. Pakistan would have to take immediate actions especially with regard to registering and regulating Afghan immigrants and barring borders where required. Preparing oneself first is a preeminent strategy, and as regards, these actions should have been taken much earlier.
Unlike Afghanistan or India asking Pakistan to terminate the terrorists, the government needs to prepare its own homework first and only then demand the same from these countries. This practice of blaming others, in fact, shows the impotency of a country. Mending one’s own ways first should be the priority. Moreover, containing Indian influence is only possible through strong relations with Afghanistan. This is not only the responsibility of Pakistan, Afghanistan must reciprocate.
Political will of all the national as well as sub-national political parties regarding border management and having effective and efficient surveillance system is the need of hour. These are the two major factors direly required here and were mentioned in NAP. Without them, this menace cannot be rooted out. On the other side, utter implementation of NAP has become inevitable. Political gap in the war-stricken areas has not been filled.
Amidst this situation, it is clear that either we have failed as a nation to depict the reality to the world or some people within Pakistan still have love and compassion for terrorists funded by intimidating agencies. It is the will that is required to get shut of terrorism; otherwise, I am afraid we would have to bear more attacks in the upcoming days.
The writer is a professional writer and political commentator. He can be contacted @junaidalimalik1 or [email protected]
Published in Daily Times, December 6th 2017.