- Flaws in security network
There was yet another terrorist attack in Quetta on Friday. In the last attack on Monday, four policemen were injured. This time at least 20 people died and 48 were injured in a blast aimed at the Hazara community.
Despite terrorism having been by and large brought under control in the rest of the country, there is still no end to the sufferings of the people of Balochistan particularly those living the provincial capital. Quetta has a population of slightly over one million. Compared to the other three provincial capitals, it should therefore have been easier to provide security to the population there. One had hoped the government would be paying special attention to the issue keeping in mind the history of the horrendous attacks conducted by the well-known sectarian terrorist networks on the peaceful Hazara community. After the last NFC Award, Balochistan like other provinces has been awash with funds with successive governments not knowing how to make use of them. It is however the height of insensitivity on the part of the provincial administration that it has shown no keenness even to implement the Safe City Project with CCTV cameras at designated places in the capital city. This was among the excuses the DIG Quetta offered for failure to put an end to terrorist acts in the city.
The reaction to the Friday attack from the Chief Minister was in the form of the all-too-familiar rhetoric of promising not to spare the terrorists this time. The Prime Minister as usual expressed grief, sympathised with the bereaved families and called for a report from the provincial government. While both the provincial and federal leaders have good intentions, what they apparently lack is the capacity to deliver.
There are attempts on the part of certain countries to create discontent in the population and scare away potential investors. These countries will continue to do this as long as their relations with Pakistan remain unfriendly. What Pakistan can do meanwhile is to improve the efficiency of its internal security system. The NACTA, which was to serve as a centre for collating information and devising a system of quick response guided by real time intelligence has to be made fully operational.
