It could have been worse, true. But the fact that terrorists could get within striking distance of the foreign mission of the most strategically important country for us – i.e. China – is enough to mock the claims of progress at breaking the back of terrorists and stemming the rising tide of terrorism and extremism in the country. Heavily-guarded though, the Chinese consulate in Karachi came under attack just when it opened its doors for routine business. Three terrorists were enough to force their way into the heavily-guarded and properly-barricaded area of the upscale Clifton neighbourhood of the city that houses an all-important Chinese consulate.
Firing gunshots and detonating explosives, the terrorists got close to the main gate of the consulate which had been timely locked from inside by a private security guard whose quick thinking saved the precious lives of dozens of consulate staff and visa seekers. With contingents of paramilitary Rangers taking control of the situation, the terror activity was thwarted after an hour-long exchange of fire. All three terrorists were killed, but not before they had taken the lives of two policemen and as many civilians.
A bigger loss was avoided though, the attack must rouse the authorities from a deep and peaceful slumber they fell into, on achieving early successes at countering terrorism and extremism as part of the National Action Plan (NAP) that was devised with national consensus in the wake of the APS massacre. The 20-point NAP was supposed to act as an integrated means to eradicate extremism in the country by strengthening an anti-terrorism institution by the name of NACTA; establishing a dedicated counter-terrorism force; proscribing militant outfits and armed groups as well as organisations involved in hate-preaching; dealing firmly with sectarian terrorists; chocking finances for terrorists; regulating and registering religious seminaries; curbing literature promoting hatred, extremism, sectarianism and intolerance; taking measures against abuse of social media for terrorism; taking effective steps against religious persecution; and revamping and reforming the criminal justice system; etc.
With terrorists once again demonstrating their capacity to strike a high-profile target, progress at the counterterrorism front can be best described as temporary; the approach of the authorities as lackadaisical; and NAP as a shelved instrument.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 24th, 2018.
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