The high-level meeting on Friday, presided over by Prime Minister Gilani, was attended by the top civilian and military leadership besides the heads of security and intelligence networks. While the meeting indicated that the entire nation, including the people of AJK and Gilgit-Baltistan, stood united against the threat of terrorism, it also denoted that the armed forces and law enforcement bodies were firmly behind the government.
The meeting was told that the government was resolved to provide the armed forces and security agencies whatever wherewithal was needed to perform their duties efficiently. Appreciating that the entire nation was united against terrorists, Prime Minister Gilani said failure was not an option, despite the ferocity of the attacks. He made it known that the elements challenging the state's writ would be dealt with an iron fist. The message of national unity and resolve is bound to strengthen the morale of the forces fighting in the tribal areas.
It would also provide confidence to the man in the street whose life is under constant threat. The army chief, General Kayani's assurance that the military operation in South Waziristan, launched eight days back, is successfully moving towards the desired objectives, would also be comforting. There are many who think that unlike the last three operations in the Agency, there is a need this time to uproot the terrorist centre from where the attacks have been launched all over the country, over the last few years. The operation has to be thorough and conclusive so that the terrorist strongholds in South Waziristan, used as a staging post for attacks, are eliminated. With the entire nation at the back of the army, it is the most suitable time to take the operation to its logical conclusion.
The closure of the educational institutions in the wake of the brutal attack on the International Islamic University was necessitated by a perception that proper security arrangements were yet to be made to secure them. The decision was, however, criticised for it could be interpreted by the beleaguered terrorists as a sign of panic on the part of the government and would help raise their sagging morale. Reopening of the educational institutions would send the message that the country is running normally and the government has the resolve and the capacity to handle the situation. There is a need on the part of those responsible for running the universities, colleges and schools to enhance the security at their premises.
While in normal circumstances law and order remains the responsibility of the provincial governments, in the present conditions, where terrorist acts are planned and carried out by a conglomeration of outfits possessing a countrywide reach, the role of the Interior Ministry becomes all the more vital in helping to bring terrorism under-control. The Interior Ministry has to ensure that information gathered by prime security and intelligence agencies is shared in real time with provincial security networks. Hopefully, the directive given by Prime Minister Gilani to these agencies to streamline their performance would be carried out efficiently. While the Interior Ministry puts its act together, the provinces need to further activate their Special Branches and revitalise the intelligence gathering system at the thana level that had served the British well, as they dealt with the resurgence of terrorist activity, particularly in Bengal, UP and Punjab from late nineteenth century onwards.
While appreciating the role of the media in formulating public opinion against terrorism and extremism, Interior Minister Rehman Malik has advised that there should be no glorification of terrorism and live coverage of such incidents should be discouraged to avoid creating panic and despondency. TTP spokesman Azam Tariq has meanwhile demanded that media provide coverage to the militants' viewpoint, also failing which, it would invite action from them. It is the duty of the media to report incidents objectively and with a sense of responsibility. For this it has already evolved a code of ethics regarding how incidents of terrorism are to be reported. The media is strictly adhering to the three-foot rule and the decision to air only the edited reports of terrorist strikes. It is bound to convey the sense of outrage and feeling of deep disgust among the general public over terrorist acts. It stands with the nation at this hour of trial.
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