The people of Parachinar have genuine complaints.
The way Nawaz Sharif treated two tragic events taking place within a couple of days of each other is both revealing and disturbing. The attack in Parachinar took place on Friday when the PM was preparing to leave Saudi Arabia. He issued a routine condemnation and expressed sorrow for those killed and left for London the next day. The Bahawalpur tragedy took place on Sunday. Shahbaz Sharif was directed to proceed immediately to Bahawalpur and observe the Eid on the site. Nawaz Sharif cut short his London trip to rush to the side of the victims of Bahawalpur the next day.
At least 72 people have died in Parachinar and 200 injured in a third deadly attack in six months. The PM should have visited the place to commiserate with and provide encouragement to the victim’s families. He could have at least directed the Interior Minister to do so. What the government did was rubbing salt into the wound. Compensations were announced promptly within a day of the Bahawalpur tragedy. This was not done in the case of Parachinar victims for full five days. Again when an announcement was finally made, those in Parachinar were promised half of what was reserved for the victims of Bahawalpur. There was no promise of jobs in their case. Are those living in Parachinar lesser Pakistanis?
Political exigencies are likely to be the cause of discrimination. The Bahawalpur victims belong to a constituency won by the PML-N. The photo ops of both the CM and the PM at the accident site and in hospitals treating victims could help PML-N bag more seats in South Punjab. NA 37 Kurram Agency which elected an independent MNA in 2013 is of little electoral value for the PM. But are tragic events to be graded on the basis of the victims’ political affiliations? The attitude indicates a narrow and parochial mindset which is highly inappropriate for a man holding the Prime Minster’s portfolio.
After Gen Bajwa’s visit the demands related to the security would hopefully be met. But what about government related issues?
