Pakistan is risky only till the time the state realises that terrorism of all and any kind is harmful.
DELHI: This is with reference to your editorial of November 20 titled “Pakistan’s ranking in terrorism”.
Pakistan is risky only till the time the state realises that terrorism of all and any kind is harmful. I think Pakistan is capable of tackling and overcoming this threat. What is coming in the way is the inability or unwillingness on the part of the army which seems to be using terrorism as part of state policy towards India. The army is one of the most powerful and respected institutions in Pakistan. If only it were to understand that there is no such thing as a ‘good’ terrorist and a ‘bad’ terrorist.
The military’s job is to flush out and liquidate all terrorists, under the guidance and supervision of the elected government. The latter also needs to do all it can do to reform the education system so that, by and large, Pakistanis are taught to respect all religions and they are not made to feel superior to others. I am sure there are millions who are taught these basic values at home and yet these need to be reiterated again and again.
It should be remembered that all of today’s terrorists were once children. Moderate leaders of Islam also need to be proactive and play their part in bringing about this change wherein no Muslim is misled in the name of religion.
I am an Indian and I say the time has come for Pakistan not to worry about India but think about Pakistan and Pakistan only. You cannot afford to lose this battle. And it’s not with us, it’s against terrorism.
Priya Suraj
Published in The Express Tribune, November 21st, 2010.
