Peace in Muharram

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A tough task but one that needs to be done

 

The month of Muharram has special significance for all Muslims. It is a month of peace, but for the past few years it has been turned into a month of bloodshed and carnage. And the irony is it is being carried out by the followers of the same religion, though different sects. Terrorists and sectarian militants have usually taken advantage of the situation and created havoc in the past. That at least 11 people, six Shias and five Sunnis, were killed in Karachi on the eve of the sacred month fills one with foreboding and apprehension.

Karachi is particularly vulnerable during this period as sectarian militants and terrorists manipulate the situation and take advantage of the resulting chaos. Reports mention that six Shias were assassinated and allegedly in retaliation five Sunnis belonging to a religious outfit were massacred only in the past two days. It is pretty evident that the security and law enforcement agencies, with already their hands full with action against terrorists and mafias, are going to be up against the sectarian violence too. Strangely, the LEAs have always been warning against the onslaught of the terrorists, sectarian militants and target killers though none of them had been able to stem the tide, not even after they have captured hundreds of target killers, militants and hardened criminals in the ongoing Karachi operation. Questionable though their performance is, it is the government which should pay more attention to the issue of law and order in this sacred month than needlessly embroiling itself in the debate over drones since the TTP honcho Hakimullah Mehsud was killed. But, as many of its critics point out, how can one government take any action against sectarian outfits when they are hand in glove with the leaders of some of the worst sectarian outfits in Punjab?

Apart from Karachi, all the other three provinces Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa and Punjab too are vulnerable. Though the Punjab CM has put in place a four-stage security plan this time round, its efficacy would be tested. But it is important for all to stay on red alert for the Taliban are likely to strike in vengeance. The provincial security apparatus everywhere must make sure that the Shias are afforded the best possible protection so that they could perform their religious duties without any fear or apprehension.

1 COMMENT

  1. With the killing of HM,I donot think American will gain the benefit. Every Afghan is militant by birth. With killing of every Afghan, American are creating hatred and revenge with the bereaved family. Afghans are different and will never be controlled by Drones or force. Taliban should also concentrate on the real enemy instead of killing innocent people with the same religion.

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