The unrelenting incidence of terrorism besetting Pakistan has been invariably described as an existential threat to our national independence. It has taken the toll of thousands of innocent lives, ruined national economy, and turned Pakistan into a forbidden land for foreign visitors and stolen people's peace of mind. Even the best of anti-terrorism operations have met with partial success. Like an inflated balloon when pressed on one side it swells on the other side. Only this past Thursday as reports of armed forces' significant gains in tribal areas filtered in the terrorists were knocking at the gate of prime minister's private residence near Lahore. Of course, there are quite a few explanations for 'seven lives' of terrorists, but the one most plausible is that when caught and brought before the court of law barring a few exceptions they just don't get punished. Obviously the security forces are disappointed over the low conviction rate. It is no wonder then the issue was brought to the notice of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif by Army Chief General Raheel Sharif during a briefing at the General Headquarters - probably the first time GHQ's concern was made public. A communiqué issued after the briefing says: 'The meeting noted with concern that there is an issue of effectively prosecuting terrorists in the courts of law, and terrorists are not getting convictions which has a negative impact on forces' effort in the war on terror'. The prime minister is said to have "agreed that the forces will get full legal backing". What next after passing the Protection of Pakistan Act (PPA) the government would do it's difficult to predict. But on the face of it there is enough of law to effectively prosecute those charged with terrorist acts; the problem is with application. A whole host of negatives abound in the manner police conducts investigation and the prosecution branch works. As for the courts these are the courts of law; securing justice is essentially the responsibility to those who seek trial of the accused. But the dilemma doesn't end here; paradoxically, even in its diluted form the PPA is being opposed by those who want 'justice' to prevail at all costs - as if bloodletting can be condoned under the cover of human rights.
And no less interesting - and disappointing to those who tend to see the two sides reading from different pages - should be the political dimension of the prime minister's visit to the GHQ. Quoting sources, media reports have said that the prime minister 'also shared the decision of the federal government for holding the grand Independence Day event in front of the Parliament building (read D-Chowk), to be attended by some 6,000 guests, will be arranged by 111 Brigade of the Pakistan Army in collaboration with the capital police in Islamabad and Rawalpindi'. The same day Imran Khan wants to reach the D-Chowk leading a 'one million-man march'. We never thought political leadership overwhelmed by such ambitions. Given the anti-Nawaz Sharif parties' resolve to dislodge him the two events happening the same day at the same place is sure a prescription for trouble, and an expression of ingratitude to thousands of our soldiers who are fighting for the very existence of this country. Of the two one must shift its date and that we believe should be the political opposition and not the government. Not that Nawaz Sharif's visit to the GHQ is a political game changer; it is in natural flow of the events. After initial hesitation his government has fully embraced the logic of the military operation in North Waziristan, so much so the media says the prime minister and the army chief have reaffirmed its 'joint ownership'. Citing the Thursday's Raiwind episode, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali informed the meeting, at the GHQ that provided with timely intelligence the police in collaboration with civil armed forces were ready to take on militants. That said, the fact must be accepted that war on terror is not over. It is a long-haul challenge confronting the country. It demands of the leaders and their followers to recognize and admit that this war is critical to the very existence of Pakistan. It cannot be lost, but marches and rallies can wait until some other day.
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