And the home minister’s handling
There is an obvious terror alert following Peshawar. The government was quick to move on the APC and NAP front, but on ground preparedness has, so far, been disappointing. Schools, which are naturally the main focus after Dec16, have still not been provided adequate security. Most, even the most prominent, have been opened and shut after extended winter vacations officially ended on Jan12, because they were unable to implement the security protocol advised by the government. Parents across the country are still not satisfied, and it is not clear schools will become fool-proof.
At such a time the Punjab home minister did not help by adding to the fear factor. Instead of posturing towards a position of strength – which would have required appropriate ground-work – Shuja Khanzada has issued a red alert, adding that local people and foreigners, children and the elderly, and almost all public places are potential targets for terrorist attacks. It seems that the government has not only not been able to provide necessary security to schools, it is also accepting failure in protecting the province at large.
In hindsight, it is startling that the government was so ill-prepared for blowback. The Taliban had threatened to bring the war to the cities in case of an operation, yet the federal and provincial security structures have been left dumfounded. Again, political developments were quick to unfold, but they will take a long time reaching the grass-root, especially if progress is as slow as with regard to schools. Punjab Education Minister Rana Mashood said that the provincial government had terminated orders to purchase security equipment for government schools for reasons including availability and price fluctuation, which is alarming. The leadership must realise that the people of Pakistan are reacting in a very different manner to this blowback. They are determined to root out this menace once and for all, which is why the army’s front-foot attitude is winning it hearts and minds. And the longer the N-league remains paralysed, especially on the most pressing issues confronting the country, the more harm it does its own political future.
