No one made an announcement. No one even whispered it or dared a suggestion. But everyone felt — yes acutely felt — the informal and perhaps, unwilling transfer of real power from Mian Mohammad Nawaz Sharif to General Raheel Sharif.
It happened because just when this nation needed true leadership, the mandated leader fell short. He just was unable to grasp the moment. Yes, it happened as the prime minister sat in the Governor’s House in Peshawar surrounded by a galaxy of politicians, and began to unveil his reaction to the worst-ever act of terror in our nation’s history. His answer to the terrorists:
A committee.
A wounded nation on the edge of rage heard with sheer horror and disbelief as the mandated leader encapsulated the collective wisdom of the political parties in a committee that would take a week to decide what the plan of action should be. And then to ensure that no wound was deprived of any salt, Mr Sharif talked politics and joked with Imran Khan sitting next to him.
At that moment, it was all over. The shocked nation snatched perceived power from the mandated Sharif and gifted it to the commanding Sharif. The contrast could not have been more glaring: while Mr Sharif was cracking jokes in Peshawar, General Sharif was sitting in Kabul to plan for the annihilation of TTP bases in Afghanistan.
Something was painfully wrong. They came and butchered our children, and we did… what? This? A Juma bazar of assorted politicos boasting more about setting their differences aside instead of giving a clarion call to crush terrorists once and for all. This wasn’t misjudgement, or expediency, or even bad symbolism.
It was betrayal.
These politicians could not have chosen a worst time for their betrayal. Have you ever seen this nation so wounded? So traumatised? So emotionally cut up? And so furious?
This anger and rage is directed at the savages who inflicted this inhuman savagery of our children. But this anger is also shooting up like dragon fire against the hypocrisy of State and all governments. This loathing is pouring like acid rain on all those men (and women) who have nourished these monsters, and legitimised their murderous acts through sickening justifications. We Pakistanis have lived through decades of State villainy and outright criminality disguised as policy. We have watched this country brutally ravaged by small men for personal agendas, misplaced priorities and unrealistic designs. The State, and every government infested with every political party has done this because they have always considered we — the Pakistanis — as nothing more than fluffy, bleating sheep.
Well, no more. This sickness cannot endure. This shameful hypocrisy cannot last — must not last. This unaccountable mode of governance and unquestioned exercise of power cannot and must not sustain. For God’s sake, they slaughtered our children. Is that still not enough reason to stop this rot and cleanse this system of filth and cowardice?
Now is the time for action. Sharif the civilian is supposed to lead through decisiveness and boldness. He is not. Sharif the fauji is. And he’s connecting with the people. Yes, the people who have cried tears of blood. They have been pushed too far. Something has cracked. A line has been crossed. Now the people will digest lies and cowardice no more. Unimaginable grief can produce unbridled fury and unmatched courage. The brave citizens of this land have marched on to the Lal Masjid to take on the vile person who spews poison while growing fat on taxpayers’ salary. They are doing what no government dare do.
The Moment makes a Man, and Sharif the civilian had his moment. Instead of sitting in that colonial mansion surrounded by faces that exude failure and despondency, he could have addressed the nation from the gate of the Army Public School, and said:
“My dear Pakistanis: I stand before you the leader of a nation that today will display a resolve never seen before. Here behind me, in this school, we lost more than our beautiful children — we also lost our doubts, our ambiguity, and our wrong priorities. Yesterday these most vile terrorists inflicted on us a pain that will never go away. Now, here I promise to you that we will inflict on them a pain they will never ever forget. Today we are one nation, grieving together for an unimaginable loss. But together we shall rise from this grief with a determination never seen before. We will do whatever it takes, and however long it takes, to crush terrorism forever from this beautiful land of ours. We will not falter; we will not waver; and we will not fail. This is my promise to you, and this is my promise to those who did this to us. We shall never forget; and we shall never forgive.”
Instead, Sharif the civilian made a committee.
Which is why a devastated and furious populace is looking towards the man who can channelise its feelings into action. General Raheel has moved with lightning speed. We don’t know what he told the Afghans and Americans in Kabul, but we can conjecture: hand us over Fazlullah and his band of murderous thugs, or we will do the job ourselves.
Back at home he is said to have been instrumental in “convincing” the government to end the moratorium on capital punishment. Lo and behold, within a few days two terrorists have dangled from a short rope, and the others shall soon follow them. There is also talk of swift legislation to amend laws to fight terror. This sudden urgency, it is said, is a product of some more “convincing”.
All eyes — and perhaps hopes too — are pinned on Sharif the fauji. This is not how it should have been, but it is. While Sharif the civilian and his politicians smile for the cameras and play the committee game, Sharif the fauji is driving the national agenda by leading the war against the barbarians.
The outcome of this war will define the future of our land for generations to come. But this moment; this decisive turn; and this betrayal by the custodians of democracy will echo loudly as a reminder to all that when a nation roars, leaders better listen.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 21st, 2014.
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COMMENTS (74)
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MARIA
absolutely right.... thank God a few people think like that otherwise these dictators would really swallow all of us
Sounds like the author doesn't understand that in developed societies, democracies by definition are slow and require consensus forming among all parties which takes time. It's the 3 rd World mind that wants quick results, quick actions, a quick buck or quick revenge. Learn to think things through in Pakistan and all Muslim countries instead of rushing into things.
Fahd, the best i ever read after the tragedy of peshawar. The nation now roaring like lion and politicians, judges and human rights people should remain on guard.
fully agree with you Fahd, brutality should no more be treated with humanity... Enough is enough and now it's the time to chase & kill these rotten rats running around. Nawaz Sharif can't think of any thing except roads, metro & under passes .... Lower down your expectation from him. May Allah (SWT) bless all who lost their lives & loved ones in saving Pakistan (Ameen).
@Umer Sharif the civilian would not be able to construct such speech in the first place, we are used to of watching him saying things which are told in his ear by other politicians sitting close to him. He can't say anything by himself.
If what Fahd says is true, let us hope it is a permanent arrangement!
The writer has forgotten, just for the sake of constructing a catchy intro, that power was already lying with Shareef the Fauji and not with Shareef the Civilian. why did RS acted on his own and took only DG ISI with him. Why cant he ask NS to accompany him. and even if NS would go to that school and would address the nation from there, what difference it would have made keeping in view a decades old overriding effect of Military over Civilian Government. Would, in that case, RS come to NS and ask him OK Sir now you have made such a great speech, so you are independent in decision making, so go ahead. Come on!! get a life Then the writer must be writing something else which NS should have done and would have been criticizing NS' speech that what big thing he did just to give a speech to the nation and doing nothing practically. So, until, such pieces will be being written and the public opinion would be made against Civilian and pro-army as it has been done since last 67 years, there would no political stability and no democracy im sorry!!!!
Great analysis.
Just to add to the incapability of the political "leadership", the committee in question has created another committee under it to get the answers.
Agreed 100%. The jokes at the conference were despicable. The Chiefs visit to Afghanistan felt and came across as very reassuring.
I think we've had enough of this melodramatic, useless propaganda articles. For some "mysterious" reasons, all our self-proclaimed intellectuals have suddenly discovered their love for the all-conquering sipah-e-salaar. But I fail to understand why this esteemed bunch doesn't have the balls to educate us that the generals gifted us all these monsters in the first place, and refused to fight against them until they deemed fit. And the learned author should have also shed some light on the recent visit to US by the great sharif where he did his best to convince the Americans that he was their man, so as to get some more dollars for his services.
While the writer makes some excellent points, but exonerating the army completely over Taliban smacks of Musharrafite school of thought. Taliban are the creation of the Army and we must never forget that. Also, the country needs to stay democratic and no going back to military rules as the writer seems to suggest.
All else aside, the real problem and the long term issue is the fact that many gathered at the funeral of the hanged convict, and many more will turn up for the funerals of all the others that are hanged. Killing them right now in jails and on ground in battle is all well and good and will rid us of a lot o filth, but what about the constant breading of newer and meaner filth that is happening all too quick in our people? I am sure none of those who attended the funeral would have read this article or any like this for that matter... or would most probably even be aware of all the rage the nation is feeling. Those many might even be the majority, in numbers, that live in our villages and non-urban areas (and urban areas to a fair extent), where the voice of sanity is the molana in the mosque.
Fahad. I concur with all your notions, however, relavent comments on Imran khan has all been waived in your remarks? A leader who has been struggling to eradicate all other menace, but has been speechless against the phantom evil. Imran has not yet once publicly had confessed that, TALIBAN are our worse enemies. He had a open field on that day to speak out and could win the day against cuviluan sharif.
I hope you will depict a complete picture in your upcoming writings You might get more opposition, but is all that required to awaken the nation.
spot on!
Very well written Fahad.... What you express is not only your view but you represented ours, the people of Pakistan.
What about the venom spewed by Hafiz Saeed - that these perpetrators were nothing but Indian agents, supported by their usual suspects...??? Why pick on that tin-pot burqa-clad mullah of Lal Masjid? Dear Fahd sahab, much as I agree with your views (and the underlying emotions), WHY may I ask did you not touch upon some of these people and their kind of mindset that in fact FUELS the fire that is consuming your country? If (God forbid) such a thing happens tomorrow in India and (like the Nov 26, 2008 Mumbai episode) it is clearly traced back to such 'Pakistani citizens', how many of the likes of you, or your schools etc would genuinely feel and express the outrage, like India and its schools did...? Quite frankly, there is something missing here (going by your country's track record) ... and time will tell how much of it is put right by a Sharif (or insert-a-name-here) the civilian/Fauji/whoever-whatever-X-Y-Z
No doubt that words are sharper than the sharpest sword and you certainly know how to move emotions of half sleep nation to think for their country's future. Sitting so far away from the country and looking inside with out any prejudice, what I see is that the nation is awakening for the better slowly but definitely. We should also not forget that the intelligence agencies has also failed us. What bothers me is that it was so obvious that these terrorists will hit some soft spots connected to the Army in one way or another but there was not enough security at the school or intelligence to get us prepared for coming onslaught on those innocent children and their teachers. Thank you Fahd for serving the nation.
@SAK: You are kidding right. Do you think army would let anyone dictate it? Don't we all know about Bhutto? May be NS won't have the same fate but would certainly be cooling heels in jail for a long time if he tries to cross army.
An army centric thinking, Mate can pakistan control the following TTP, Ahrarul hind, LeT, LeJ, LT, Balochistan independence movement, BLA, Karachi ethnic-linguisticviolence, LOC, Kashmire, shia v sunni violence, violence against minorities such as hindu and christians. Keep dreaming mate, and dont forget that it was back in 2001 that your musharaf sold taliban to USA for $$$$$.
The terrorists do not grow on trees nor do the trees grow in the sky. All home grown terrorists in the world ooze out of the failed and unjust policies of the State!! Pakistan is a special case which is crowded with army elites both on active duty and in retirement, who are all regarded as the privileage class and provide direction to the civilian leadeship. Their fate therefore is sealed for all times.
Rex Minor
Come out of your trenches , Getlemen. It's time to charge.
For the Idiots who are forever Dragging Imran Khan into every mess made by Nawaz Sharif let me remind u that IK has repeatedly mentioned TTP by name feel free to Google it
It felt like someone has caressed my bleeding heart with his soft caring hand. I wish u would have written this article earlier. Best read of the day.
@Mohammad Musa Mazhar: A committee will only drag the situation into indecisiveness, its a way to buy time for the terrorists like the one month ceasefire with them. the committee has not done anything till now, it met only once on friday and has a "break" on saturday and sunday. we cannot hope to achieve anything if this happens when 150 people die.
Well written article and any Pakistani newspaper reader do know well that how Sharifs have nurtured and watered the nursery of bigotry and fanaticism at the behest of Pakistan army for a corridor under the myopic name of "strategic asset".
And by the way, it is simple SOP for any incidence to be investigated to know that who is the immediate beneficiary of that incidence.
So December 18, 2014 was the countrywide strike of Imran Khan which might have exposed the national mood and "by chance" this catastrophe, likes of which are not uncommon in the turmoil hit Pakistan, occurred.
One should read between the lines.
A ruler is not loyal rather ruler if he rules in country and moves his progeny and assets outside from that piece of land to a foreign land!
No way Nawaz and Co. are loyal to Pakistan and history will tell who was behind 16-12-2014 carnage in Peshawar!
Come on Fahad you are better than this. Everyone is emotional and understandably so, but analysis should not be your emotional reaction. The "moment: you are professing never existed for civilian sharif to win. Infact that moment was the one when military operation started in NW, a decision by military. Tell me honestly, if the army was not willing to take that operation and nawaz sharif wanted them to, what would have been the outcome? Although as incompetent as our civilian leadership is, you can not blame them for not taking any action. They dont have that authority and you know that. Anything nawz sharif could have done better was to avoid cracking jokes.
Under the command of The Great General ,the biggest and most expensive operation leads to Peshawer massacre, and instesd of questioning you are glorifying him.
Thank you all for this invaluable feedback. This is a fight we have to fight whether we want or not. Some with a gun, some with a pen, some with words, and some with clear intent in their hearts and on their lips.
@Malveros: So you are saying everything NS does or does not do is because of IK. Are you for real?? Get a life this good for nothing can and will never do anything. He is incapable to the core. Plus question was asked by your favourite Saleem Safi and NS talked about rigging and so dd IK eventually.
@someone: Well this is the time when he can bell the establishment's cat, he needs to take a strong stance and people will support him or he can just go in the history as a man who DID NOTHING!!!!
Of all the articles on this tragedy, yours is by far the best. Beautiful example of Jihad bil qalam. May GOD ALMIGHTY Bless u and broaden ur horizons. Ameen
@Ch. Allah Daad: ' Therefore better shut up and focus on future.'
Your anger is actually amusing! What is said about 'civilian Sharif' is actually mild. There is much more to be told! For instance his multiple meetings with Bin Laden, Rana Sana and extremists and more.
General Raheel Sharif Zindabad!! Wish you success!
"It was betrayal. " ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ It pains me to write this but the past existence of Pakistan is nothing but betrayal of Pakistanis.Hope future is better....
Fahad, while you have sung eulogies for the military leadership for jumping to action, you fail to realize that it is army leadership which has brought us here. Whose failure was it? Taliban are much wiser than you who have singled out military as there sole enemy, because they Already know that policy maker, and implementor is army and not the politicians.
@someone...what do u expect nawaz sharif 2 do ..u ask ...not to cracking jokes! he seems very pleased with peshawer incident has PTI called of its dharna, if any more reason to get rid of this monster this is it!
Much as we like to see Pakistan develop it's fledgling democracy the politicians with their lack of vision and leadership have been lacking over the years and none more so than after the tragic Peshawar incident. NS will always be a PML-N chief but he sure can never be a leader. IK made a decision to end the dharna and was rightly applauded for it - but has since disappeared from scene to ensure he doesn't say or do anything that puts him on the wrong side of the monsters he wrongly thinks can be reconciled.
Another brilliant piece by Fahd. But it is unfortunate that inspite of warnings in case of DI Khan Jail break, Karachi Airport, Wagah border & Peshawar Schools ( the govt was warned in August, 14, that there is a threat in Schools & School bus & especially Army School was indicated). To take action against such serious intel info, is the responsibility of the provincial govt, not the Army. In all developed country which has gone through terrorist act, takes even a smallest threat seriously in contrast to us. That is because, in all terrorist action, there has been no accountability, no report of investigation & follow up. Not one person or even the govt owns it. Not one responsible person even resigns symbolically on moral ground. If you compare the act of S Korean President who resigned when 200 kids died in Ship accident. The owner of the Shipping company suicide because as per his suicide note, he could not face the parents of those kids. No wonder, S Korea is where they are & we, instead of going into the root, we are trying to hide behind state of denial. Eventually, it will the public who will come out & take revenge & in this melee many religious parties, politicians / bureaucrats & the elite class will get crushed. That will be the day of reckoning...insha Allah. Allah swt has its own peculiar ways to defend the most weakest of its creatures. If today, after this massacre, our ZAMEER do not wake up ! then only Allah knows best. We who thinks are the most superior class has lot to answer when we stand shoulder to shoulder with these kids up there.
Mr Fahd seem to be working overtime to shake our conscience, good try, keep it up! at least you will stand tall amongst us on the day of judgment compared to many of us, who has no justification but criticize people like you Mr Fahd. What we are witnessing today are the result of our failure as an " intellectually bankrupt " nation.
Sharif the politician is as charismatic as egg custard pudding with a brain to match.....that's how God made him. This was an opportunity for Imran Khan to shine and show leadership skills......HE FAILED. On Raheel Sharif you are right.......but that does not really make my heart sing, but then beggars can't be choosers.
@someone: and moreover it is not only army personnels who suffered from this peshawar incidence but there were many muslims as well.....and for ur kind info army is not a media which reflects "BREAKING NEWS" now and then for whatever and how so ever developments take place as a reaction or after effect of some step taken by the army or for that matter army chief......
We shall see how committed Gen. Sharif iand equally importantly the Pakistani public are in going after the terrorists. My bet - the "strategic assets" who can be used against India will survive. They serve the "national cause". And we shall be reading articles like this again and again.
"When you see a snake, you kill it - you don't form a committee on snakes" - Ross Perot.
In war like situations army always gets very powerful. I dont mind more power with Raheel Shareef these days because perhaps after a long time we have an army chief who is ready to take on the Talibans in a soldier's way. Yes, strategic depth policy and non state actors remain the elephants in the room when we talk about our security policy mainly shaped by our Army, however, it will be premature and unfair to expect an immediate improvement or rectification on all fronts. This does not mean giving time to non state actors espousing violence against neighbours or pursuing a policy of double standards with our neighbors. First things firsts. Rest must also follow soon.
What is the author so mindlessly rambling about ? The committee is not an answer from PM. It was a requirement from the author's favourite Imran Khan which was accepted by PM. NS was within right to lighten up a tense and depressing meeting because it was IK who brought out his mindless delusions out in the open at the Peshawar meeting.
We need a wartime leader because frankly we are at war Nawaz Sharif is not even fit to be a peace time leader he is just a business man who only thinks about business how many people does Nawaz Sharif inspire
@someone; peoples like you are more poisonous than maulana Aziz.
@Mohammad Musa Mazhar: Brother.... I would agree to disagree a little ... NS did all appreciable , but the dilemma is that all this has been forced upon him to do ... We need a premier who may take lead instead of being dictated for good
Let us wait for the dirt to settle down and see as to how many units still remain in what is todays Pakistan. the author should have known of the civil military cohibition more than six months ago?
Rex Minor
This is what every one here is talking and feel. A big well done.
The superior form of justice and patriotsim is the honest expression of civic mindset ....and Fahad you are honest in doing so ...Good job brother
On the dot Fahd Husain. Could not have been more precise. The entire Pakistani nation whole heartedly condemned the shocking atrocities by the savage terrorists! Pakistani nation is one against the terrorists and are vocally speaking up for our strongest response to eliminate the scourge but not the politicians. Those who claim to be the real leaders have gone into hibernation and are not visible anywhere!
This was not the time to hold government PTI talks which ought to have been postponed for sometime. The national sentiment requires the attention of entire political leadership, government to focus on countering and eliminating the scourge of terrorism from Pakistan, to make its people safe!
I expected PM Nawaz Sharif to atleast address this grief sticken and badly traumatized nation the same or the next day to share their grief, show new found resolve, give hope &determination to Pakistanis at home& abroad, but probably what the heart does not feel cannot come on the lips..! welldone Fahd"mein na yah janaan ka goyah yah bhi meray DIL mein thi" You did justice to our emotions & their indifference.
The army is taking a stand because they created these monsters, why blame Nawaz Sharif for his inaction or inefficacy.
Sharif, Sharif and us
Thank you Mr Fahd for telling us all about Sharif- The Civilian.
Let someone else talk about Sharif the Sipahsalar,
Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, despite all that has happened, despite the many sacrifices of the brave soldiers who have died fighting terrorists, you refuse to employ a blanket policy against non-state actors. While the military conducts operations against bad Taliban in FATA, it continues to protect sectarian elements in Quetta, the Afghan Taliban and other ‘jihadi’ organisations such as Jamat-ud-Dawa. The country is reaping what it has sown over decades.
And Finally, let us talk about US the Citizens,
Citizens, you seek comfort in conspiracy theories to avoid facing the ugly truth. What will it take for you to unite against extremism unequivocally and without provisos? The idea is not to berate or discourage, but to offer a reality check and prompt change of policy for the sake of our children, for the sake of our country’s future. Only the truth will set us free.
http://nation.com.pk/editorials/17-Dec-2014/for-our-children
Moderator ET- The moment of truth is here, whether you like it or not.
@Ch. Allah Daad when u people want terrorists be accounted and punished as a prioritize case which is right and need of the hour,conversely u inflate politician and general to go ahead without accountability and punishment, is it naivety or duality .
The best analysis on this situation so far. FAHD you are making this nation and your mother proud !
You put on pen what everyone was hiding from. An absolutely commendable article. The speech gave me goosebumps. How I wish our leader had said that. InshaAllah Shareef the fauji will deliver us successfully out of this mess but now is the time for change at individual level too. We have to break free the chains of cowardice and indifference and surface as humans, in every sense of the word.
How about a piece titled General Kayani, Imarn and Quadri, who have effectively weakened the civilian government?
Fahd, you have spoken the mind of the nation with uncanny accuracy. NAWAZ Sharif has failed to speak for the people of Pakistan at it's highest time of need, while Gen. Raheel Sharif has spoken for us through his actions. How come NAWAZ Sharif never got on TV and told the nation what it needed to hear so badly? I was supporting Imran Khan but now I say shame on him too for not speaking for the nation either. You accurately reflected the failure of NAWAZ Sharif, let's add Imran Khan to that's list of the named ones who badly have failed us. IK is not worthy of our vote either.
OK.
Now that we have had our Weekly fix of Sharif- The Civilian- bashing, let us look at some other Heroes.
Chairman Imran Khan, you are the most mainstream and consistent Taliban sympathiser in the country. Despite the murder of 132 children in the capital of the province where your party is in power, you couldn’t muster the courage to name the Taliban. You have done a great disservice to this nation by repeatedly justifying the murder of your fellow countrymen and pushing a toxic narrative based on factual inaccuracies and ignorance.
Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, despite all that has happened, despite the many sacrifices of the brave soldiers who have died fighting terrorists, you refuse to employ a blanket policy against non-state actors. While the military conducts operations against bad Taliban in FATA, it continues to protect sectarian elements in Quetta, the Afghan Taliban and other ‘jihadi’ organisations such as Jamat-ud-Dawa. The country is reaping what it has sown over decades.
http://nation.com.pk/editorials/17-Dec-2014/for-our-children
Lest we forget the Context and the Consequences of forgetting the Context.
We are surrounded by politicians, not leaders. We are unfortunate and fortunate. Unfortunate because we have The Sharifs and Imran Khans and the Zardaris as our leaders. Fortunate because we at least have our army to fall back on. The only true custodians of our welfare.
V well wriiten article expressing our emotions and feelings. One Sharif failing his so called democracy which the other Sharif in uniform has guarded so far......but wisdom nd bravery is not for sale otherwise Sharif family would have bought it
Wow ... this is one of the best op-eds ever. For sure the civilian sharif has let us down Fahd sab. That joke in one of the most awaited press conferences was like pinching salt over the wounded nation. "You don't want to do anything with something, make a committee to handle it". This committee will never be able to do anything of what the other Sharif is doing. Thanks for speaking out sir. We needed someone to speak for how hurt we felt.
This is no time to blame each other. In our past, if politicians have made mistakes, army has made blunders. Therefore better shut up and focus on future. Any support big or small from any quarter should be commended and appreciated.
Your articles give words to my thoughts,...
Absolutely agreed, 100%! Couldn't have said it better! Pakistan Zindabad, Pak Fauj Zindabad!
God Bless you Fahad! Thank you for penning down our thoughts so accurately.
brutality no doubt climaxed fahad as your per exposition in same very piece, sharp and quick move always emanate from very school of thought of army and then there implemented in so quick and surging way that dull politicians don't find even time to own it, dilemma is when dynasties swell then decision are made keeping in view the reign not country and even imminent havoc could not be detected because chair of executive always revolve in eyes and entrenched dynasties could not spew forth any plan to appease fuming nation, army rests at veto power and judiciary at sub veto position, parliament, politician have symbolic representation, it could easily be detected by coas tour to USA and Afghanistan
Awsome!
While I understand author's frustration but what did you expect NS to do? Do you think the establishment of Pakistan would listen to NS if he orders to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure across Pakistan? Nope , that ain't happening. You are talking about an army who did not bother to inform its commander in chief before adventuring into neighboring country. Raheel Sharif may visit Kabul as many times as he wishes, as long as Pakistan has sanctuaries for Taliban harming Afghans, they would not co operate. There is no change in Pakistani state policy of "strategic depth" and "strategic assets". Pakistan is bidding time from one such tragedy to another without making any major policy change. Was this the first time such a tragedy stuck Pakistan? Nope, but because earlier who died were Hazaras, Shias, or Christians, they were not enough to cause this kind of rage in Pakistan. If GoP or Pakistani army was wise enough to take actions at those tragedies, may be they could have spared themselves from this one.
Fahd, absolutely brilliant. One of your best till date.