After Charsadda — some questions

The modus operandi of the attackers was virtually identical to that of those who attacked the APS in Peshawar

It seems clear that Pakistan had been lulled into a false sense of security. Commentators and analysts across the media spectrum had since the turn of the year been expressing a cautious optimism. There was talk of ‘things getting better’ and of an air of ease and relaxation in much of the country. Operation Zarb-e-Azb was often cited, as was the operation in Karachi and there is no doubt that the figures for terrorist incidents in 2015 were a 48 per cent improvement over those for 2014 — but it was all something of a mirage and the New Normal came knocking at the backdoor of Bacha Khan University.



The modus operandi of the attackers was virtually identical to that of those who attacked the Army Public School in Peshawar in December 2014 — they came in over the back wall of Bacha Khan, which was poorly secured. They went for the soft underbelly but were met by brave resistance from the security staff employed by the college and some teachers. The army and law-enforcement agencies were quickly on the scene and yes, it could have been a lot worse. But it should not have happened at all. The attackers were ‘handled’ from Afghanistan and in touch throughout on their mobile phones, receiving calls even after they were dead.

The bitter truth is that for all the fanfare, the National Action Plan (NAP) has signally failed in several key objectives. Banned organisations continue to operate freely. Lal Masjid is but minutes away from the HQ of the premier national intelligence agency and the chief cleric there, Abdul Aziz, continues to call for the downfall of the government and democracy in general. Government ministers remain in denial about the penetration of Islamic State and the regulation of mosques and madrassas that have questionable funding and linkages remains patchy at best — and pursued with scant vigour anyway in south Punjab. Viewed from that perspective, there is little cause for optimism and it is time to press the ‘pause’ button on the projection of a mood of positivity. The New Normal called again. We need to listen.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 22^nd,  2016.

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