KP cabinet galvanized into taking action
A suicide bomber blew himself up outside PTI’s MPA Israrullah Gandapur house instantly killing him as well as seven other people present in the vicinity. The tragic incident occurred in the victim’s ancestral village near Dera Ismail Khan, where security may perhaps be relatively lax, but it could well have taken place in the heart of Peshawar, as the deadly attacks in the Kissa Khawani bazaar and the All Saints Church at Kohati Gate amply prove. The Taliban appear to be growing more audacious by the day, and Gandapur was the third PTI provincial legislator to die at their hands in the past few months, a fact that should be causing some food for thought (if nothing else) to Imran Khan. No doubt conditions in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa are unique and volatile because of its proximity to Afghanistan, which geographical accident unfortunately places it smack in the forefront of the so-called war on terror and its collateral deadly consequences.
But the PTI is ruling the roost in KP and what is alarming about these unceasing attacks on its recently elected legislators is that this party is considered to be most sympathetic to the Taliban viewpoint and has long been vociferous for talks with the militants. Are there splinter groups within the Taliban which also oppose any peaceful resolution of the impasse? After all, for mercenaries and those who live by war, peace is not a viable option, because it would ruin them.
But the latest killing has at least galvanized the provincial PTI leadership into taking action, though one cannot say, better late than never, in this instance. That an emergency cabinet meeting was called during the Eid holidays in itself reflects the shock of the provincial government. After declaring three days mourning over the attack and calling (not surprisingly as it is the party line) on the federal government to fast-track peace negotiations with the Taliban, it was decided to set up an Anti-Terrorism Police Force to be led by a DIG taken from outside the police department. Among the other steps announced were: better weapons and equipment for the law-enforcement personnel, strategic installation of security cameras throughout the province, deployment of Elite Force units at sensitive spots, and holding the local Station House Officer accountable for any incident within his area of responsibility. At this moment of crisis, the country desperately needs brave, motivated and dedicated personnel at all levels and one would beseech Heaven to send down men of many talents at this crucial hour.
