It is very unfortunate that an auspicious day turned into a bloody one. Series of bomb blasts and ambush attacks across the country on the day of Milad-un-Nabi left behind more than 75 dead, and many more injured. This new wave of terrorism and one that seems to be coordinated with perfection must be a point of concern for the security establishment, which is facing an uphill task while looking after the affairs of the state and the pivotal task of securing the country from dreaded elements who have made some deep inroads in the body politick. A suicide bombing in Mastung left more than 55 dead in a celebration rally; another twin-suicide attack on a mosque in Hangu killed six people; and two different ambush incidents on security forces in Zhob and Khurram Agency took claimed the lives of five soldiers — which is deeply saddening.
The mosaic of terror fissure proves that there is an escalation trend. Likewise, it hints at proactivity of the TTP — which is out to destabilise Pakistan notwithstanding the half-hearted resolve of Kabul to take them out — with the IS and Baloch insurgents being other catalyst factors. A close analysis of their dreaded role also indicates the commonality of their denominator, as their prime targets are the security forces, vulnerable civilians and CPEC-related personnel. This is more than enough to prove that there is a nefarious plan to weaken Pakistan, and all these disgruntled elements have entrenched themselves because we have blinked somewhere.
It’s time to move ahead from mere condemnations. The good point is that we know the enemy, but are apparently in an ostrich syndrome for reasons of petty interests. The time is to let every organ of the state perform its constitutional role to the maximum, and create an environment where the parliament, executive, judiciary, media and the armed forces come ahead to embolden the civil strata and defeat the enemy inside-and-out. This will ensure that the house is in order. Revisiting foreign relations, especially with Afghanistan, is sine qua non for our survival.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 1st, 2023.
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