Changing the narrative through bloodshed

An informal survey assesses support for anti-state rhetoric

KARACHI:

There was a time when negotiating with militants was an option being mulled by the government and military. The APS carnage removed that option from the table and was seen as a watershed moment which would redefine mindsets against anti-state ideology and unite everyone against a common enemy.

In an informal survey carried out in 16 districts, people were chosen at random from a variety of fields—from street vendors to businessmen—and asked their views on supporting militants, the Taliban in particular, after the massacre of schoolchildren.

They were asked if they supported the Taliban or their extremist ideology after the Army Public School attack on December 16, 2014.

These are the results from the districts which participated:

 

Participants who answered in

long-form

Malik Mumtaz, 45

who is an Awami National Party worker in Charsadda, said those who supported the Taliban still support them and those who were against still stand by their stance

Khaisa Rehman, 50

who is also an ANP worker in Charsadda, said little has changed in the mind-sets after the attack

Shahana

a 45-year-old teacher in Lakki Marwat, was of the view that those who attacked the school were not part of the Taliban

Published in The Express Tribune, December 16^th,  2015.