Are We Threatened By Chaos Crew?

The air seems to be charged with violence and bloodshed. The smell of death and fear hangs like a cloud, raw and bleeding, adding weight to already laden chilling atmosphere that has settled around us in the form of smog thus increasing our myopia. Thus we fail to develop any appropriate response on the recent happenings.

It must be realized that despite a protracted era of counterinsurgency we still lack the fundamentals of war preparedness. Responsibility for us is like a scalding issue that must be passed on to next person unthinkingly. Nothing is more pathetic than the self piety we exude. What we face is a shortage of courage, will power and a passionate spirit.

Bold cities of Punjab including Lahore may well seem to be protected against any terrorism. Law enforcement agencies are surely activated in these cities. The immediate cause of violence is obviously investigated as authorities take required action to bring situation in control. Well this clears one thing that we are not feeble enough to be defeated until we give terrorist the space to do so. But this blessing does not extend to the rest of country where security issues spiral out of the hand as one after another episode of terrorism hits us with enhanced force. Certainly, many incidents can be narrated which provide ample insight into the impact that the militants have aimed to achieve. Is this intentional discrimination from the government’s side? Yet we need answers for this lackadaisical attitude from government.

Firstly, the militant web is highly potent and effective and they still have the extended reach that threatens our internal peace. Secondly, both the authorities and security establishment stand defeated by them. From this vantage point, their demands for peace deals clearly aim to further their interests. Although, terror incidents may recur with an alarming intensity, but what they are taking advantage of is the internally chaotic and politically unstable situation. This however, does not means that they are in a position of strength or they pose any degree of existential threat to Pakistan. Threaten us they may, but only temporarily for as long as we allow them space and opportunity while we avoid bringing our own house in order.

Lack of political will is so apparent that it hangs around us like air we breathe in whether we like it or not. Style of governance that our politicians adopt so brazenly results in exasperation. This is a fact that politicians have turned deaf ear towards the issue.  However, the armed forces have realized the need to tackle this issue with effective measures before it’s too late. Classed as greatest risk to Pakistan’s health, the internal threat has been brought to the fore with the aid of many narratives including The Green Book, the one which is published by the own authority of Pakistan Army. Mere textual information is not what armed forces have put up. Killings of valiant soldiers and certified officers clearly show that they are absolutely serious about this menace.
Slogans we have heard for far too long now without anyone delving on the action phase of the plan that needs to take off after vocalizing exalted thoughts of saving the Pakistani state. Once this realization dawns upon us we in our very small capacity can play a significant role in correcting our collective wrongs, things may start improving…..