Do more
There is clearly a long way to go before our own war against terrorism can be truly won. But, if anything, the long nature of the fight means we must be on guard all the time, and evolve the right strategies to contain and eventually overcome the enemy. Yet, it must be said, that despite the political show of unity following the Peshawar tragedy, things have not moved fast enough, or in the most preferred direction, since the National Action Plan (NAP) was formulated. The attack on Qaumi Watan Party (QWP) Chairman Aftab Sherpao shows, once again, that the security apparatus is still largely behind the curve in preventing such acts of terrorism.
In this particular incident, police officials were able to shoot the attacker before he could get too close to his intended target, yet the suicide belt still went off, and a number of lives were lost. Such incidents show just why suicide terrorism cannot be confronted head on. It is curtailed and contained by coordinated intelligence and preventive action. And that is where the official machinery is still lacking. The ideas and ideals of NAP are still far from becoming a reality. Terrorists have struck a number of times since Peshawar, targeting minority communities at will. The talk of dismantling their infrastructure and degrading their base did not seem too compelling when terrorists were able to strike so openly.
The government is advised to place NAP at the top of its priority list. Unless the security situation is restored to normal, efforts at economic and financial revival are not likely to bear fruit. Much was expected of the government after the Peshawar incident. Just as all political parties were lining up behind the government in a much needed show of support, the prime minister was warned in this space that the toughest test of his political career was just beginning. Leading the country through this war will test Pakistan’s leaders to the hilt. Sadly, so far, the N-league has left a little to be desired. First it was pro-talks and anti-action. And now it is not making the right moves to follow up on NAP. Hopefully saner minds will prevail and the situation will be handled properly from here.