Exactly a year back, the same day, we were stabbed in our soul by the callous, horrendous and merciless terrorists, who indiscriminately killed 144 people, including 132 innocent school children, ranging between eight and eighteen years of age, in APS Peshawar. The operation launched by SSG killed all the seven terrorists and rescued 960 people. The invincible display of courage by the teachers will be remembered in golden words, besides this salute to the endurance of the parents of the young martyrs despite such an immense loss.
The tragedy was so horrible it eclipsed the fall of East Pakistan that is the saddest tragedy of Pakistan history.
The thunderbolt impact of this incident miraculously integrated and united the whole nation rather than spreading hopeless and frustration. The unanimous decision made by the Parliament, by taking army and other stakeholders on board, for the formation of National Action Plan, has so far dispelled, dismantled and defeated the terrorists and their abettors across the country particularly in FATA. The lunatics and extremists with their ideologies are rapidly in the process of extinction now.
Our society on the whole should realise that the extremists who are using the name of Islam are not representing Islam. The extremism and sectarianism that breed terrorism are the real cause of bloodshed across Pakistan and deserve no mercy. Holistic approach followed by strict implementation should be executed against these inhumane tendencies. Besides these, prevailing injustice, soaring corruption and militant groups associated with different political parties should also be curbed so that common people may not fall a prey to militancy and terrorism. Pluralism along with tolerance should prevail in our country so that we may become a progressive state.
FATEH ULLAH
Lahore
