Burning schools

On August 3, in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamer district, 12 schools were burnt down

Forces against the progress of Pakistan are constantly at work. On August 3, in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Diamer district, 12 schools — at least half of them girls’ schools — were burnt down by miscreants in an apparent attack on education, which is defined as the epitome of progress in most advanced societies. Graciously, student lives were spared, but we can plausibly suspect this may be a sign of events to come. Extremist forces have decimated schools while in session, with the most vivid emotional memory for many Pakistanis being the Army Public School attack in Peshawar in 2014. Prime minister to-be Imran Khan quickly took notice but since no first information reports or arrests have been made, we implore that culprits be steadfastly caught and brought to exemplary justice so that a much worse fiasco can be avoided.

Arson and vandalism have been recurrent elements of violence throughout the country, whether by terrorists or rioters. Destruction to public property has been taken much too lightly. It would be wise to change this course now, as this is a developing country with limited offerings when it comes to its landscapes and skylines. We support the Chilas protestors who denounce the annihilation of their educational institutions. Alif Ailaan reports there are only 88 girls’ government schools in the district. Thus, the attacks on six, possibly more, schools cause damage to a high percentage of total schools in the district, which already suffers from a dilapidated quality of education.

Finally, the psychological trauma caused by these attacks should not be underestimated. Although children living in war zones and areas infested with extremism are forcibly taught to act resilient, they are naïve young humans who entered this world only to be welcomed by a hateful and intolerant way of life. Extremists unwaveringly wage psychological warfare on Pakistan’s children, attempting to instill fear. The honourable CJP’s acknowledgement of the attack is reassuring, but we urge that local law enforcement on the ground to work swiftly and effectively to ascertain the safety of educational institutions and return them to the students.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 5^th, 2018.

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