Terrorists are the enemies of the entire civilized world and the menace of terrorism has become a universal problem. Due to this reason, both bilateral and collective measures will have to be taken to root out the nuisance of terrorism not only from countries worst-hit like Pakistan, but from every nook and corner of the world.
Unequivocal condemnation of the Peshawar school carnage by the US President, the UN Chief and by leaders from across the globe reflect strong resolve of the entire world to deal with the hateful issue of terrorism with an iron hand. During their one-on-one meeting the US Secretary of State John Kerry extended condolences of the US government and people over the Peshawar school tragedy of December 16, 2014, in which 132 students and 13 other equally valuable lives were lost, and said that terrorists are the common enemy of the two countries. He assured Pakistan of his government’s out-and-out support to deal with the issue of terrorism effectively.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan reciprocated by appreciating President Obama’s message of friendship and cooperation in the aftermath of the Peshawar attack on December 16. He further bolstered his sincere desire for stronger US-Pakistan bilateral relations by stating that the United States is a vital component of Pakistan’s foreign policy. All said and done, the fact remains that although Pakistan has genuinely gone out of the way to fight the US war on terror, and while doing so it has suffered and continues to suffer huge material and human losses, support of the US vis-à-vis the issue does not, by any means, measure up to the sacrifices made and continues to be made by Pakistan.
It is an indisputable fact that the war on terror has cost Pakistan very dearly; the costs, both in money and human terms, outweigh the benefits. It is high time that the US and its Allies not only appreciate the huge sacrifices made by Pakistan in the war against terror, but also strengthen its endeavors to fight this long-drawn war successfully and route out terrorism from its soil once and for all. It is also in the interest of the world, in entirety, to extend full moral and tangible support to Pakistan to enable it to obliterate the terrorists and bring an end to terrorism for the benefit of the present generation and for posterity.
M FAZAL ELAHI
Islamabad
