- Terror rearing its ugly head?
The foiled attack on an FC compound in Loralai – even though four personnel lost their lives – once again goes to show that terror is beginning to rear its ugly head after lapse that was welcomed far and wide. With the attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi not too long ago, which was followed by more attacks including the gruesome murder of one of our more progressive politicians, Ali Raza Abidi, it is clear that the incidence of terrorism is on the rise. No doubt relevant security agencies are up to speed on these developments, and everything possible will be done to ensure that successes in military operations since 2014 will not be diluted.
Fingers will, naturally, be pointed at the government for not following through properly on the most important points of the National Action Plan (NAP), which was formulated after the Peshawar school tragedy. First the PML-N government was too busy trying to survive ever since the Panama scandal hit the news waves. Now it’s the PTI administration going after corruption and the opposition in a manner that it should have pursued terrorists. Also, the new NAP that the government promised is nowhere to be seen; just like a number of other promises on the campaign trail.
The need for the state to keep its foot on the throat of the enemy, so to speak, could not be greater for Pakistan. The slightest bit of complacency will drag the whole country back, requiring that much more resources in men and money to get a handle on the problem all over again. Nobody needs reminding of the horror of the terror war as it spread far and wide inside Pakistan. The military, its high command and especially the brave soldiers gave far too many sacrifices for the peace to be lost once again. Hopefully the right steps will be taken now, and NAP implemented in letter and spirit, before any more bad news visits us.