United against terrorism

We need to encourage more segments of society to work for the cause through a series of initiatives


Editorial August 14, 2017

Over the years it has become virtually impossible for Pakistan to let down its guard against terrorists in the same way as it is probably hard to expect these radical soldiers of destruction to sit tight and abandon their war against the state, its institutions and its people. The battle, one must remember, is for the soul of the country and must be fought till the end. The terrorists are believed to be no more than a few thousand. And though we have suffered thousands of fatalities in the ongoing war, the thought of more sacrifices has neither deterred the military nor left the people despondent in any way. Terrorism in all its forms is currently producing among the masses a pronounced sense of revulsion and loathing — which one hopes will be used to build a stronger national resolve to destroy the infrastructure of terrorists and allow them little or no space to exist, provided all of us rally closely behind the military’s operation against militant outfits. On Sunday, Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Bajwa drove home the point by underscoring the need for all the country’s institutions to work together in a bid to vanquish terrorism. His remarks resonate with every citizen especially on the eve of Pakistan’s 70th independence anniversary and a day after a suicide bomber on a motorcycle exploded himself in front of a military vehicle in Quetta, killing eight soldiers and seven civilians. Some 40 others were also wounded in the attack. The suicide attack took place within the perimeter of a high security zone that includes both the Balochistan Assembly and FC Hostel. The timing of the assault makes it clear that the militants who staged it wanted to disrupt the celebratory mood in the country ahead of August 14. Our compatriots would do well to counter such nefarious designs that are intended to dampen spirits. A more holistic approach would help to bring down the threat of terrorism. We need to encourage more segments of society to work for the cause through a series of initiatives designed to counter the vast propaganda machine of ideological extremists. It is not a task that can be performed in isolation because it needs greater coordination and collaborative measures among all Pakistanis.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 14th, 2017.

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