Hira Irfan
December comes again, with the smell of blood and tears and it reminds us of what we lost. December 16, 2014 the day the world stood still Shocked and ‘ashamed’. This was the worst kind of terrorism. Pakistan has been facing the worst kind of terrorism from the last few decades. This is one of those cruel attacks which one could not imagine because their target is not the politician, not the Imam, not the mosques not the church not the crowded place and even, not any special community. This was the attack on the generation of Pakistan. This was the attack on the future of Pakistan.
After the Army Public School attack, Peshawar watched in wordless grief- what is the word for pain that assails ordinary mortals when there are 141 funerals in one day? From just one location, of children, of teenagers, of teachers, of those who had harmed no one, of dreams severed brutally, of lives cut short, of bodies that were charred, of faces that were unrecognizable. The smallest coffins are the heaviest to pull, indeed! It’s been a year passed since the attack and Pakistan has seen a lot of developments during that time. The initial response of grief at the open massacre of innocent children was quickly followed by rage and anger, and then hope and defiance as the Army vowed to eliminate terrorism at all costs from the country. One example of this defiance is the highly popular song:” Bara Dushman Bana Phirta hai Jo Bachon se Darta hai” a song mocking the cowardice and dastardliness of the TTP terrorists. The ruthless attack on school children has precipitated a clamor for stronger military action against the “terrorists”, and the Pakistan army and government have responded by stepping up the Zarb-e-Azb operation and hanging a handful of incarcerated convicts.The Pakistani Nation is proud to applaud and salute all the valiant warriors of Operation Zarb-e-Azb for destroying various heinous plans of terrorists. Political parties had unanimously agreed over the issue of setting up military courts to tackle terrorism cases in the country following the gruesome attack on the APS Peshawar. Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif signed the black warrants of four terrorists involved in the Army Public School attack. They are the first people to be hanged in connection with the horrific December 16, 2014 attack.
People left their houses for the Army operation to wipe out militants from North Waziristan that has raised the fears of IDP’s falling prey to curses like terrorism, human trafficking, prostitution, illegal organ scavengers, street begging mafia and drug distribution as well. Terrorists will also find them easy to convince against government and to initiate armed suicidal anarchy. At this juncture, we can’t all expect government to do all the efforts, rather a collective approach from all quarters including govt, civil community, NGO’s all. I think NGO’s should come into play of more serious and concrete planning to prevent IDPs from such scenarios. These destitute families should not be treated as unwanted and it is our collective responsibility to treat them as they are one of us. We have to fight against terrorism so as a nation we should appreciate the efforts of rangers and Army to bring to quite an extent the normal life back to the terrorism affected areas.
Peace is the only prospect, and people need to fight for it. Pakistani nation needs to wake up otherwise it will be too late. December 16, 2014 has proved to be the history of Pakistani nation as it has united the whole nation against terrorism and that the terrorists do not deserve mercy.APS Peshawar attack was very unfortunate event but it has brought many positive things. Extremism and terrorism pose immediate and the gravest challenge to democracy, stability and harmony in the context of Pakistan. There is a dire need to promote rule of law, promotion of plurality and respect for human rights in our society. Democracy and human rights are no longer ideals, but are the pragmatic tools and powerful weapons against instability and terrorism. While remembering our title soldiers on this 16th December let us also pledge to stand united and fight those people out who nurture these terrorists in Pakistan society as Shedding tears or feeling sadness would not change anything. This evil happened it’s not a bad dream and must not become a distant memory. We must NEVER forget Peshawar attack.
