Two years. For a country like Pakistan that has witnessed hundreds of horrific incidents over the past years, December 16, 2014 stand above all as one of the worst days in Pakistan’s recent history. On Dec 16 two years back we realized that the inhumane terrorist we are fighting can stoop to any depth in their desperation; on the fateful day the country’s children were singled out for an unspeakable and harrowing act of terror. On that day, 144 innocents — 122 students, and 22 teachers and support staff of the Army Public School, Peshawar — were mercilessly killed in a terrorist attack that not only plunged the country into mourning and anger but sent shockwaves around the world.
Despite the already ongoing operations against terrorist elements the day changed the state’s policy in dealing with the terrorist responsible for spreading terror across Pakistan. In the immediate aftermath, the government lifted the unofficial moratorium on the death penalty, asserting that only those convicted of terrorism would be executed. The government announced a comprehensive National Action Plan for tackling religious extremism in society, military courts were established and the military went about targeting terrorist with more force than ever. Action was taken against those spreading hate in the society on sectarian lines and many of the hate-speakers were neutralized.
However two years on the fight still continues with its completion still uncertain, terrorism incidents have been curtailed but the terrorists have still managed to strike somehow. Only this year there have been a number of terrorist incidents that include the attack on Bacha Khan University in January, the Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park tragedy in Lahore, the Quetta Civil Hospital bombing in August, the police academy attack in Quetta in October and last month’s attack on shrine of Shah Noorani are some of the major incidents to have occurred this year.
The success of the military operations carried out by the military and the law enforcement agencies is there for everyone to see. However, the progress on the National Action Plan remains a distant dream and it could potentially harm the success of the military operation. Choking financing for terrorist and terrorist organizations, taking effective steps against religious persecution, measures against abuse of internet and social media for terrorism and revamping and reforming the criminal justice system are some of the points underlined under the National Action Plan that still remain far from being implemented in letter and spirit.
The newly appointed Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has also recently emphasised need for all out efforts to consolidate gains made so far during operation Zarb-e-Azb and has vowed to indiscriminately eliminate remnants of terrorists with their sleeper cells.
Over the previous few months, a section of the media has been constantly trying to portray a picture of distrust in the civil and military relations. The practice needs to stop. At a time when the country is embroiled on multiple fronts rumour mongering is the last thing the country needs. The success of the military operations owes a lot to the determination of the civilian leadership too, the Armed Forces, all law enforcements agencies, intelligence agencies the general public and last but not least the government all have contributed to the success in the war against terror. If the cooperation continues the day is not far when the remnants of terrorists will be eliminated altogether.
One final push is needed to cleanse the country from menace of terrorism.
