On December 16, 2014 the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) stormed a military-run school in Peshawar, and killed more than 148 people, most of them children. Everything changed that day. Pakistanis have been shaken to the core anddeeply traumatized by the brutal Taliban action.
The Pakistani establishment under successivegovernments has been fundamentally ambivalent about the need to eradicate all types of militant groups. In the past the country has suffered countless wrenching tragedies, with the ensuing public rage not leading to sustained action to eradicate terrorism.
One hopes the recent massacre by the TTP – unparalleled in its brutality – should prompt the country’s military and political leaders toreconsider their conflicted approach to the insurgency that is threatening the state’ssurvival.
Imran Khan was wise to postpone countrywide protests and join the APC called by Nawaz Sharif. His party was demanding a transparent audit of the 2013 elections. Imran’s decision – as well as his unequivocal condemnation of all forms of terrorism – reflects his political maturity and empathy with the national sentiment.
Will the other political parties reciprocate? Will there be unity and consensus against terrorists. Will Pakistan turn the page from its previousduplicitous and self-defeating response to the extremism that is threatening the country?
I hope and pray that the Peshawar massacre isnever ever forgotten. May it be a real turning point for a society plagued by violent divisions. I hope Pakistan can come together in the belief that if we want to save our society from death and destruction, our leaders will first have to agree that the primary threat is militancy and extremism in all forms. This is an opportunity for the country to harness popular outrage and grief into something positive. This is the least we can do to ensure that the children at Army Public School did not give their lives in vain.
by webmaster@insaf.pk (tkiadmin)
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