This is with reference to the front page news published in your esteemed paper (25 April) saying that a bomb exploded in Lahore railway station killing two and injuring about 35 persons. The responsibility has been owned by banned Laskar-e-Balochistan.
People of Pakistan were already under shock by the Siachen tragedy where 135 soldiers lay buried under deep snow and then we had a terrible tragedy of Bhoja air crash in which 127 people perished. We were lucky to avert major disaster when Shaheen airlines aircraft suffered break of landing gear, in another incident again a Shaheen airliner’s fuel tank leaked when the flight was about to take off, and now we have bomb blast at one of the busiest railway stations of the country. Unfortunately, our all public places are so vulnerable that a determined terrorist or his agent can hit any place with ease and confidence and go uncaught.
So far the government has not come out with a clear cut strategy to control these bomb blasts except routine measures taken after each incident and that is not the solution to the problem. Our present security strategy has failed to bring halt to such brutal attacks. Rail journey was considered comparatively safer as compared to air travel. All railway stations are packed to capacity and therefore a very high order of security is needed.
There is an urgent need to have screening machines at major railway stations with only one entry point to screen the baggage. Railway police in civil dresses should be deployed at major railway stations to keep an eye on suspected personnel and CCTV camera should be placed in locations and must be checked at regular basis. But at the same time people should also be vigilant and should not rely on government security only.
Our half hearted measures introduced after each incident have remained counterproductive. The nation has lost hope and confidence in the government who has failed to protect the life and property of citizens. TV channels should air programmes for the benefit of people giving them caution how a small breach in security can end up in major catastrophe.
Media should also draw a line what should be shown to masses. Showing families weeping with dead bodies simply adds to more sorrow and pains and further demoralises the viewers
MUKHTAR AHMED
Karachi
Were the Shaheen airplane 'near misses' due to terrorist attacks then, or simply a fault? I don't think I'll be getting on one of their airplanes any time soon!
Comments are closed.