Isn’t a coincidence that on one side newspapers and TV channels are highlighting the APS tragedy on its second anniversary, Dec. 16; same day inquiry commission report on Quetta August carnage was indicting the same people whose inaction is no more a news. We shall not celebrate the apparent slight lull in terrorist activities; it’s a temporary phase because terrorists’ sympathisers, financiers and ideological godfathers are not only intact but sitting waiting for time to strike. It’s pointless to highlight the hypocrisy on the part of those who can act against roots of terrorism.
Quetta inquiry report questions federal interior minister’ justification on holding of public rallies and meetings by banned outfits in the Capital of Pakistan wherein thunder of ‘Shia Kafir’ slogans must have reached the PM house. Can we justify inclusion of banned outfits such as LeJ and ASWJ in election process; LeJ leader won a recent election in Jhang as no one was able to stop the wave of hatred. Is this not part of a grand plan to bring banned parties in electoral process? Whoever is planning this strategy needs to understand the difference between violence based on religious/sectarian hatred and nationalism/regionalism. You can bring the Baloch insurgents in main fold by granting them their rights, share in power and resources. But you can’t bring religious/sectarian terrorists in mainstream politics as it would mean official recognition and protection of hatred.
Nothing will change in Pakistan until we come out of the ‘good and bad’ Taliban syndrome. Whoever uses his/her religion to spread hatred against other faiths/sects is a bad Talib, regardless of his/her utility in proxy wars in neighboring countries, in counter insurgency operation against separatists in Balochistan. But when federal interior minister feels no hesitance or better say shame in comforting banned outfits leaders in his office, then just wait for another APS and another inquiry report!
Masood Khan
Saudi Arabia