What Dec 16 should remind us of
December 16 reminds Pakistanis of the APS tragedy when terrorists ruthlessly killed 141 people including 132 school children. The incident shook the entire nation. It gave birth to a realisation that the eradication of terrorism was necessary for survival. The entire political leadership and the military establishment jointly formulated the National Action Plan (NAP) with an aim to get rid of terrorism and eradicate the widespread extremist thinking which constitutes the fountainhead of terrorism. The NAP defined precise targets and recommended the establishment of powerful institutions to implement the plan.
The report of the judicial commission on the August 8 Quetta carnage which appeared in the media on the APS anniversary is a damning indictment of some of those entrusted the task of implementing the NAP. Despite a Supreme Court order of 2012, no satisfactory arrangements have been made so far for the collection of forensic evidence. The interior ministry refused to ban two notorious networks despite repeated requests from Balochistan government although these had owned some of the most devastating attacks in the country. It wasted time by corresponding with ISI and IB seeking comprehensive evidence that could indict LeJ al- Alami and Jamaat-ul Ahrar. Worst still the Interior Minister held a meeting with the head of three banned organisations to listen to his demands and conceded to these demands as reported by media. This indicates a conciliatory attitude which can only encourage terrorist networks
Soon after forming its government the PML-N leadership wasted seven months in trying to convert the TTP terrorists who continued to attack and kill even during the government-TTP talks. The terrorist attack on Karachi airport finally led the army to launch Operation Zarb-e-Azb. It is time the government discards its policy of appeasement, stops delaying vital decisions and pays heed to the recommendations made by the judicial commission. It has to implement the NAP in letter and spirit with a spirit of urgency. Unless this is done terrorist networks will continue to play havoc in the country.