THE Bohra community is a peace-loving community in Karachi. It holds no political biases, nor does it support any ethnic trends. If one were to ask what this community stands for ideologically, doctrinally and operationally, the plausible answer is: peace, harmony and coexistence.

Yet they have been attacked. Why? There is only one explanation: terrorists are at war not with a community but with the entire state of Pakistan.

Have the billions of dollars that we have spent on procuring military hardware and developing nuclear weapons provided safety and security to the people of Pakistan? What good are these expensive machines, military hardware and security forces when the life of the people on the streets is not secure?

The ‘elite-formulated’ security policies only protect, guard and extend the interests of the ruling elite and the institutions they represent and not the interests of the people. For people on the street, these policies have brought only hunger, misery and hopelessness.

The two worst things that are happening to our country are in the name of religion and security. The concept of ‘Islam in danger’ is the lifeline of many religious groups that have mushroomed over a period of time and can do anything to blackmail the state in the name of religion.

Civilian leaders and military autocracy have hesitated to check them.

The target selection by terrorists in bombing the Bhori community should be an eye-opener for the government. The state cannot allow terrorists to target people at will. If the existing phenomenon of ‘people’s security’ can only be ensured through basis of self-help, what good is the state?

M. ALI EHSAN Karachi