The brazen and audacious terrorist attack on a police academy in Lahore suburbs on Monday morning, resulting in deaths (variously reported between 12 and 22, including the three terrorists who blew themselves up) and injuries to more than 100, follows the recent attack on Sri Lankan cricketers.
The precision and highly professional action of the attackers poses certain questions, which need to be addressed carefully and immediately, otherwise the very existence of Pakistan is under threat. The first and foremost is the glaring lapse of security and lackadaisical response of the guardians of law and order to attacks on themselves, let alone others under their protection.
Secondly, the utter failure of the intelligence services to detect and forestall such mishaps, despite repeated fatal incidents and daily warnings, leads one to wonder about presence of some black sheep in their midst.
Thirdly, the major reshuffle of senior and experienced police officers at the top levels at frequent intervals and at the whim of every new minister or administrator with the object of having persons of their own choice - mostly sycophants - around them for personal or egotistical reasons, which disrupts and disheartens the factotums in the police hierarchy.
Fourthly, the diversion of a large number of police force from their normal duties, to provide security for VIPs and VVIPs on their frequent visits or travels throughout the country, which leads to a severe shortage of needed surveillance elsewhere, particularly the slums and trouble-spots in urban centres, the breeding grounds of desperation which generates terrorism.
Next is the question of training and competence of the police cadres (mostly semi-literate, who hold their positions on the strength of their "connections") to deal with the highly sophisticated and well-trained saboteurs or militants of suicide squads, who are well armed and thoroughly dedicated to their nefarious missions.
That of course leads to the question of interference from beyond the borders, and to sources that provide money, materials and munition, besides motivation to these suicide bombers. These enemies of Pakistan are well-known, and they leave no stone unturned to harm Pakistan at any time they get. A fitting answer to their nefarious designs is an urgent need of the hour.
There are certain tools to combat this scourge, which so far have been neglected. One is moulding of public opinion, to make the populace aware of the dangers posed by the unsocial elements, who may well be residing in their midst, unknown to themselves.
Second, and in our opinion, the most effective weapon to use is the enlistment of services of religious leaders and Ulema, to preach the teachings and edicts of Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet (PBUH) to the populace, wherein suicide and killing of innocents or wanton destruction of property, or harming the old, the infirm, the women and children, even in times of war against infidels, is prohibited.
Those who carry out their deeds in the name of Islam, not only bring bad name to Islam and Muslims every where, but also distort and misinterpret the Divine edicts. Islam is a religion of peace and brotherhood and those who break these fundamental articles of faith are not true Muslims, but agents of the enemies of Islam. They willingly play into the hands of our foes, under the misguided concepts of jihad, which in fact has not the remotest connection with their codes of conduct.
The religious leaders can play a vital role in explaining and preaching this truth of Islamic faith, to silence the critics and foes on one hand, and guide the wayward back towards the real spirit of Islam.
Urgency of these corrective measures must be felt by those who have the welfare and prosperity of Pakistan and its people in their heart, particularly at this juncture when Pakistan is fighting for its survival on many fronts - economic, political, social and moral - and is almost on the verge of collapse at the hands of our foes and friends alike, to say nothing about the ongoing wars at our frontiers and threats of more to come.
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