Taking all steps in consideration it appears that Zarb-e-Azab would emerge as the final solution in the face of daily mayhem reported in the country. Zarb mean sword and Azab means rightful action. When Alexander the Great was marching in his conquests he reached a point where people told him that he could proceed further only when he opened the Gordian knot. It could not be opened by hands or teeth. So he struck it with a stroke of sword and cut it into two halves. As such, learning a lesson from history, terrorists are comparable to a Gordian knot which can only be opened by cutting it with a sword which is the symbol on the arm of uniform of Pakistan Army i.e., crossed swords.
In the circumstances prevailing in the country it is apparent that the fate of the nation would be finally decided by Zarb-e-Azab only. As a result we ought to give a chance to Pakistan Army to use all methods with no holds barred or tenured to crush the terrorists fully and completely. Without such a mandate it is doubtful if the present setup of political parties would be able to face the menace that is threatening our schools and small children. The inhuman actions by terrorists ought to be met with deterrent anti-terrorist measures to meet success in the ongoing asymmetrical fight in the country.
DR MUHAMMAD YAQOOB BHATTI
Lahore