APS case

It was a day of supremacy of law and constitution as the Prime Minister appeared in the dock. The Supreme Court had summoned him to personally answer as to what progress has been made in apprehending the culprits responsible for the December 16, 2014, massacre at the Army Public School in Peshawar. It is one of the darkest episodes of our checkered history as more than 147 people, including 132 schoolchildren, were martyred allegedly at the hands of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan at a time of high tide of terrorism in the country. Seized with a suo muto, the apex court was eager to know as to what level of retribution has taken place, especially after an official report termed it a security lapse on the part of state authorities.

The parents of the deceased children in a complaint had solicited justice to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to book. On hearing the humble submission of the Prime Minister that there were ‘no holy cows’ among the names provided by the parents of the APS attack victims — seeking action against them — and that his government will act on any of the court orders, the learned bench notified the authorities concerned to come up with final findings within a month. The main thrust of the top court was in knowing as to why the government reportedly is in talks with the banned militant group, by pointedly expressing its concern that it shouldn’t come as a capitulation.

The summoning also came as an opportunity for the Prime Minister to apprise the honourable court of the policy perception in vogue as the government contemplates engaging militant outfits in a table talk. The PM exclusively referred to the changing dynamics in Afghanistan, and the tragedy that has met with more than 80,000 Pakistani families during the war on terror. It, however, remains to be seen as to what, and how, effective punitive action the government takes against those who stand charged for negligence of duty — and consequently were responsible for the mayhem. The consequences that this action will entail will be an offshoot of dynamics involved in power politics. But the good point is that the court has taken a leap forward in ensuring the phenomenon of right to life and justice.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 12^th, 2021.

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