Syeda Mazhar
As one mourns and grieves over the massacre of innocent children, teachers and civilians in Peshawar, it has become important to look in the hindsight to think hard about how and why Pakistan lost its way…
Was it the lack of political will? Poor governance? or appeasing religious bigots for political mileage that have created the culture of religious bullying and largely “intolerance of tolerance”? One thing has been constant in the history is the drift away from Jinnah’s vision of a secular state.
While we grieve the absolute barbaric incident, the objective appraisal to discern our national response against the menace of terrorism is imperative. If observed under perspective, it becomes evident that the incident was primarily triggered because of Zarb-e-Azb affecting terrorist safe havens and in reactions provoking Urban terrorism that aimed at exerting a pull on our forces from the operations. Insensitive statements were made to highlight the continuous suffering of the terrorist and causing them to evacuate was portrayed as a crime. Thus, the killing of 140 children two years ago was justified.
Terror attacks on schools and educational institutions have been increasing. Taking the shape of a global phenomenon that is increasing unprecedentedly. The long haul outcomes of assaults have left scars more than any other incidents in light of the fact that their target was not just to slaughter individuals but to subjugate their minds to irreversible oppression. By attacking educational institutes, the terrorists advanced in murdering hopes, dreams and aspirations all at once. They succeed in debilitating nations.
It is evident how the pace of attacks on South Asian region increased after the year 2000. The correlation is apparent as American invasion of Afghanistan happened in 2001. Post American invasion, the frequency of attacks increased causing the increased terrorism. The feeling of frustration, hate and anger has been fuelled in the region as a global political agenda and such activities are being funded and aided by the NATO and other foreign organizations working there. Where the Super powers are meddling in the internal affairs of the South and Central Asian Countries, our neighbor, India is also at par adopting the divide and rule policy.
It is high time Pakistan realizes that they no longer have the luxury of fighting conventional warfare. War is no longer limited to the battlefield. It has come into the streets, neighborhoods, markets, schools and towns of Pakistan. And it becomes incredibly important to protect themselves from the death and destruction inflicted by the terrorists. The anger, rage, frustration and disappointment cannot be expressed in words.
One of the most important events that took place after the attack was the formulation of the National Action Plan (NAP) entailing 20 points that aim to curb terrorism in totality. What it contains and does not contain has already been dissected extensively so let’s not even start debating. However, what actually is important is studying the developments on NAP and counter-insurgency fight.
The biggest mistake Pakistan makes is considering the internal security situation in isolation. We fail to realise that the world is a global village now, and no country operates independent of others. The relationship between foreign policy and internal security is more pronounced now than ever before. And Pakistan lies in a region where its border with Afghanistan is not even fully acknowledged. The main problem which many acknowledge is the fact that Pakistan has not tilted its foreign policy significantly after the APS attack and has failed to realise the link of security and foreign policy.
Afghanistan sends in a lot of refugees, and many of the Afghan Pathans do not recognise the Durand Line. Moreover, the relocation of terrorists across the border poses security threats for Pakistan, and continues to do so after APS. The Badaber attack was presumably planned from across the border. But the two countries cannot do anything about it unless they overcome their mistrust. Part of Pakistan’s problems lie in the fact that Afghanistan shares close ties with India and India’s constant interference in Pakistan’s internal affairs has been a constant stinging source of discomfort in its dealings. India also feeds the fire of already invigorated propaganda against Pakistan as the hub of terrorism where as it is actually India behind the closed doors sending in trained officials and spies into Balochistan to execute its agenda of weakening the political structure of Pakistan.
Terrorism is the plague that Pakistan has suffered from since decades. The deadlist attack in the history of Pakistan on a school happened on the 16th of December, 2016 when the Army School was attacked in Peshawar, which left 132 children dead. For death for every child, died the dreams of parents, the future of nation, a doctor, an engineer, an architect, an artist and everyone who they could have been, The Peshawar Army Public Schools resumed the candle of education but the screams of kids still haunt the corridors of the school and the walls, though may have been painted are still covered with the blood stains of the innocents. The news shook Pakistan and unearths the earth. These kids were too young to fight but they still won.
