Terrorism in Pakistan

(Syeda Maha Qadri, Karachi)

Nowadays, terrorism has become a great threat across the world. Interestingly, its rational meaning cannot be defined, because if someone is harming certain people, somehow he must be defending some others. As Quaid-e-Azam is considered a hero in Pakistan, but on the other hand he is a negative character and traitor for the Indians. Anyways, the word of terrorism agitates when the writ of the state is challenged in any territory and when it is attempted to establish a state within a state.

It is hard to determine the origin of terrorism specifically but as far as Muslims are interlocked with it, that all initiated with effect from the war of US against Russia. If it is peeped back into past a few years ago, when US organised different forces in order to break Russia, it also provoked Pakistan to help it, hence Pakistan induced an armed force based on the people who lived in tribal areas and named them ‘Mujahideen’. It all happened in the tenure of Zia ul Haq. He directed those non state actors to Russia, henceforth Russia was broken. Usama Bin Laden was their leader and America brought him from Saudi Arabia. When the war was finished and those Taliban came back having achieved their target, some of them preferred Pakistan to live in and others immigrated to Afghanistan. Henceforth, armed weapons were accustomed in Pakistan because the Taliban were carrying their weapons as their tradition and they refused to surrender before the writ of state. They presented their agenda carrying the imposition of Islamic law as their main demand, which was not acceptable for Pakistan and US as well. They started implementing their laws in Afghanistan and a school of thought was emerged in 1999 with a name of Al Qaida.

Claims come from former British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook that:
The truth is; there is no Islamic army or terrorist group called Al Qaida. And any informed intelligence officer knows this. But there is a propaganda campaign to make the public believe in the presence of an identified entity…The country behind this propaganda is the US.

An unfortunate incident of World Trade Center and Pentagon jolted the whole world when a worse terrorist attack swallowed more than two thousands lives.

Afterwards, America put forward a reason of 9/11/2001 and declared to invade Afghanistan and asked for Pakistan’s support. That was the government of Pervaiz Musharraf in Pakistan, which showed endorsements for America. At that time operation in Pakistan did not get succeeded because there were many believers and supporters of Taliban who had had a soft corner for them so those militants kept dilating across the country.

Pak army was still operating against them at backdoor and then in Islamabad the incident of ‘Laal Masjid’ added fuel to fire which lasted 15 days. Pak army killed a huge number of armed militants inside the mosque, in return these religious extremists also operated back which not only claimed a lot of human loss but also resulted an immense destruction in the capital which had a huge impact on whole country. Consequently, a wave of suicide bombing scattered in Pakistan and they started dispersing and prevailing terrorism everywhere.

Thereafter, with the passage of time, when Zardari came into power, he articulated to eradicate Taliban’s support from Pakistan. Public was made to hate them by many means. A video of a tribal woman went viral on media in which she was being whipped in front of many tribal people. Pakistani nation did not like this brutality and stood against it. After it Pak army started North Waziristan Operation against them. Some of them surrendered however the rest kept fighting till their last breath, but it was not the end. Furthermore, different videos were seen in which soldiers were being slaughtered savagely as revenge.

There are several types of terrorism. Some people execute it for the achievement of their targets, in order to defend their boundaries, to get firm hold of the resources, and sometimes for the accomplishment of their any unfair demand however, the most extreme and powerful agenda is for the enforcement of religion. In Pakistan terrorism is dispersed in the name of politics, money and sectarianism. Basically, the causes of the terrorism could be poverty, unemployment, lack of education and corruption. It has affected Pakistan very badly and severely. First of all it spoils the image of country in the world’s accord and gives very poor and negative impression in terms of diplomatic affairs. Pak enemies declare it as a turmoil state. Most of the talented and educated people are escaping from Pakistan, causing the investment decline day by day. Terrorism spreads chaos, panic and depression all across the nation. Tourism is considered the wheel of economy, by the dint of terrorism, now tourists are scared of visiting Pakistan. Terrorism has affected the international sports activities of Pakistan, following the Sri Lankan’s team attack. As per the report of PID, the cancer of terrorism has swallowed more than half millions of human lives till now excluding economic loss in Pakistan. Weapon is the other curse which has become a necessity now; it not only affects our budget but also drifts the preferences of the state. Terrorism not merely kills a single person, but a whole family, who bears its consequences. Hence a fire of revenge agitates in their hearts thus this chain never breaks. If one person dies, a new story emerges.

Raheel Sharif wanted to wipe this all out but Nawaz Sharif first wished for some negotiations and dialogues to resolve this issue. However, on 16th December 2014, a massacre of Peshawar occurred; terrorists affiliated with the Tehrik-i-Taliban (TTP) conducted a horrible attack in the Army Public School Peshawar. This incident grieved all and once again an air of hatred touched all the hearts hence whole nation of Pakistan stood united against them. Pakistan army itself decided to launch an operation and the government had to support it, finally the “Zarb e Azab” operation was started against them, in the beginning the leaders of some religious parties were not agreed though.

However, keeping in view the necessity of time, they had to agree with it hence the operation went successful and it is still going on. Even some of the terrorists surrendered themselves. Nevertheless, the situation is getting better day by day, even though an operation has been started in the city of lights which had lost its hustle and bustle some years ago. After the establishment of military courts, the implementation of law has become more convenient.

No doubt army is playing its due role very efficiently but equally nation and government should not forget their roles in this regard which are very significant. Different religious scholars should unite themselves and declare their unity along with brotherhood, so that their followers would also get unified. Awareness should be given to the nation through media as media plays a vital role in it. Media should avoid spreading and showing things through wrong perspectives. Likewise, the government should impose the strict punishments and laws. Moreover, people should be given a proper education of religion so that they could learn and know what our religion actually says and these terrorists couldn’t manipulate those innocent minds in the name of suicide bombing as martyrdom. On the other hand, hatred should be eradicated from the hearts and justice should be served everywhere. Then again the government should maintain good relations with the neighboring countries and even with our enemies as well. Furthermore, the conflict of Kashmir should be resolved as soon as possible.

Now time has come to show the world that we have done too much “do more”, now it is their turn to admit our sacrifices for the global peace. We are a peace loving nation but we have fought a tough battle against our traditional and non traditional rivals. After the ongoing operation the rays of hopes are getting highlighted as far as the economic condition and the diplomatic affairs of Pakistan are concerned.

Undoubtedly, our law and enforcement agencies are pushing the non state actors towards the corner and they are just taking their last breath that is why being a brave nation we will have to face the collateral damage. In shaa Allah that day is not far when Pakistan will be considered as one of the safest places of the universe having a terror free environment.
May our homeland live long!

Syeda Maha Qadri
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