Minorities under persecution
Terrorist networks created by the past military rulers in pursuit of their ill conceived strategies have been on the rampage for the last four years. The civilian government failed to rein them in because of its wrong priorities and incompetence. Promises were made by the interior minister which were never fulfilled with the result that the public stopped taking him seriously. What Gen Kayani said on the subject on August 14 once again aroused expectations among many. Addressing the Azadi Parade at Kakul the COAS declared that “the fight against extremism and terrorism is our own war and we are right in fighting it. Let there be no doubt about it, otherwise we’ll be divided and taken towards civil war. Our minds should be clear on this.” The words created the perception that henceforth the military and the civilian security agencies would coordinate attempts to put the genie back into the bottle. It was expected that due to improved vigilance there would be a respite to attacks by the extremists in days to come. What one sees happening weakens one’s confidence in the efficiency of the state machinery.
Terrorists continue to strike at will in Karachi and Quetta. After a brief absence bhatta mafia and target killers have re-emerged in Karachi and are having a field day. There is hardly any political party whose workers have not been killed. On Tuesday, two political activists belonging to ANP and Jamaat-e-Islami were shot dead leading to a joint protest march by JI, PPP, PML-N, ANP and MQM. There is similarly no end to the dumping of dead bodies in the city. Three bodies of unknown persons shot in the head were also discovered on Tuesday. The same day sectarian terrorists hit members of the peaceful Bohra community in Karachi comprising mainly traders and professionals dedicated to philanthropic activities. The community has conscientiously avoided involvement in sectarian disputes. The incident will provide negative publicity to Islamabad which is already facing criticism for attacks on minorities in Pakistan.
Sectarian terrorists continue to play havoc in Quetta also. Not a week has passed during the last one year without reports of members of the minority Hazara community being killed in the city. The Supreme Court has warned the government again and again of the consequences of its failure to provide security of life and freedom to the citizens. That sectarian killings should continue in Karachi and Quetta despite a heavy presence of Rangers in Karachi and the FC in Balochistan raises questions about the forces’ efficacy. That this should happen despite the FC having been given police powers is all the more worrisome.