An unending scourge

Terrorism appears to have become a feature in our lives that simply refuses to go away. Quetta, in the past, has repeatedly been the epicentre of such violence, and on May 23, the city saw yet another terrorist attack on security personnel when around 100kgs of explosives planted along the route of a bus carrying members of the Rapid Response Force of the Balochistan Constabulary detonated as the vehicle transported persons on duty from Qasim Lines into the main city. Thirteen were killed and at least 17 others injured. Provincial Home Secretary Akbar Durrani has admitted an intelligence failure and as a province-wide hunt begins, six arrests have been made.

According to Reuters, the Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attack. The Taliban, according to the report, say this was in retaliation for the recent arrest and killing of some of their colleagues belonging to the Swat Taliban. This comes after prime minister-elect Nawaz Sharif stressed the need for dialogue with the Taliban. The Taliban, according to reports, have responded by saying that it is too early for them to respond to such an offer. In the meantime, murder and mayhem continue, and we clearly need greater efficiency from our law-enforcing apparatus and intelligence network — though, of course, in the final analysis, even this may not be enough.

These latest attacks, of course, only compound the convoluted problems of Balochistan, which are by now so deeply entrenched in its soil that the solutions will need to be worked out at the highest policymaking levels. The task falls squarely on the shoulders of the government due to take oath in the province. Its degree of success in this will determine a lot about a province, which appears to be on the brink of falling apart, torn to shreds by violence that has come in so many different forms. Indeed, this government cannot afford to fail. It carries a huge responsibility on its shoulders and must deliver if Balochistan is to be saved and prevented from falling into a still further state of anarchy.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 25^th, 2013.