FREQUENT incidents of terrorism have caused huge loss of life and destruction of property on the one hand, and on the other have led to serious psychological problems among the people. …[T]he question is whether there will be an end to the ongoing bloodshed or will it continue unabated till the end of time. It has been observed that in the beginning the terrorists used to attack the police, security forces, the premises of law-enforcement agencies and [other] sensitive installations but they later changed their strategy and started targeting civilians in bazaars. Both in Pakistan and Afghanistan, hundreds of people have been injured or killed inside places of worship.

They have also targeted innocent people in bazaars for no fault of theirs. All public places like hotels, restaurants, bus stands, filling stations, intersections, roads, fruit and vegetable markets have been attacked by suicide bombers and through planted improvised explosive devices. Hundreds of people have been killed in shrines and during funeral prayers. It will be impossible to remove the grief and sorrow of the relatives of innocent victims. The people are of the opinion that the attacks on public places reflect the weakness of the terrorists who are striking out of extreme desperation…. The government is optimistic that terrorism will come to an end soon. But the rulers should also keep in mind the ground realities and main causes behind the increasing militancy as most people found to be involved in it are disappointed elements.

In a situation where unemployment is on the rise and poor people are unable to purchase even items of daily use like food, where injustice is common … and the people are facing problems getting justice from the courts, disappointed elements become an easy prey for militants. The continuous drone attacks, random shelling, bombardment of innocent civilians and the unnecessary interference of the US in Pakistan’s affairs are the reasons behind the increasing terrorism. The recent incident of the desecration of the Holy Quran can also add to this.

It is the duty of all stakeholders, particularly Pakistan, Afghanistan and the US, to devise an effective joint strategy to overcome the menace of terrorism otherwise it will be impossible to douse the fire. — (May 3)

Selected and translated by Ali Hazrat Bacha.