This image captures the grief of relatives of those who fell victim to two bomb blasts in Karachi on February 5. In deepest sorrow, they mourn their loved ones during the funeral procession. Their misery, as it is captured here, reveals the harsh reality of terrorism as it currently prevails in Pakistan. So much is lost to satisfy the desires of so few. - Syed Mohammed Adil /White Star
The following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
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S. A. M.
Feb 09, 2010 09:34am
I just do not understand what the perpetrators get out of killing the innocent people. Are they doing it in the name of religion? I really am amazed at those people who succeed in convincing people to kill an ordinary person to get a free ticket to heaven. Is it Jihad or is it Fasad. For an average person like me it is almost possible to even think to hurt any living creature to benefit myself. I am sure the same would be felt by the vast majority. It is completely non sensible. I mean don't they ever think of what will happen to the families of the victims. 'But I think that now the criminals are completely devoid of any human feelings. I am sure they would have no respect for their own family members. Now they are neither humans nor animals but something totally different. In their attempt to get heaven they appear to be something direct from the other place. In fact it is my strong belief that we the ordinary people would go to heaven because of these so called jihadis.
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DewDrops24
Feb 09, 2010 11:31am
Loss of Life of some one who really near to us is a great grief. I condemn these bomb blast attacks in Karachi and in any part of our beloved Mother land. My Allah give peace to their souls who died in these blasts. And give courage to their relatives to pass their life. Ameen.
All of us Pakistanis should do something by supporting Law enforcement agencies against these terrorists and force our government to avoid their luxury life styles and spent money on securing Pakistan.
May Allah give us Hope and Encouragement to solve our problems. Ameen.
Pakistan Zindabad.
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Zohaib
Feb 09, 2010 11:32am
These killers are not only killing innocent human beings but also spoiling the Islamic teachings.
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Rahim
Feb 09, 2010 11:38am
It is commonly said that Taliban's are the ones who are doing all these suicide bombings and the individual who kills him/herself are also known to be Muslims. what I don't understand is, that we being Muslims are told from the day one that all Muslims are brothers are sisters and part of a 1 big family, and if suicide bomber is also a Muslim then why is he not being told from that all Muslim's are a family. who is teaching them an adverse part of the literature that by killing their own family members, God will give them a place in Heaven ???
A part from Taliban's, anybody either political, social, cultural or individual, who ever is planning and planting these killer bombs, should not even be given a place any where around the Holy God. this killing is really not a Jihad but a fasad, well said S.A.M.
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Farukh Ali
Feb 09, 2010 11:02am
I just feel very very sad for the victims and especially their families. May Allah do justice.
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Parus
Feb 09, 2010 10:24am
This is the era where the lives of innocent human are free and inexpensive and all other commodities are rare and expensive!
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SQ Khan
Feb 09, 2010 10:01am
Loss of human life should be condemnable anywhere. Its sheer hypocrisy to show sympathy to the victims while the terrorists strikes where as we keep a calculated silence when drones kills innocents in the name of counter terrorism
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ali
Feb 10, 2010 03:45pm
This is to people advocating the use of enclosed boundaries to carry out activities. Why you fail to understand that a moving bus carrying people is targeted, and the same can happened to people commuting to these enclosed premises. I guess we need to put forward some concrete steps rather then being ostriches and try to restrict ourselves because of security fear. One step would be to exemplary punish all those who have confessed their crimes of killing professionals and blasting mosques, but till now they have been left to live in jail on taxpayers money.
Hope this would bring some openness in thoughts.
My heartfelt condolences to all families who lost their loved ones.
aLi
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Vinnie
Feb 09, 2010 04:27pm
Every time it is so saddening when I hear any news about mass killings in any suicide or bomb attack and the same time I think about how many days will I survive more? Whether I will be able to live till my natural death or what is the future of our children in Pakistan?
It is all terrorism in the name of Islam. A Muslim can never ever think of doing such that and the way by which they want to spread Islam is also incorrect as you cannot impose the teachings of Islam over others. You can only preach peacefully or just ask them to refrain from bad things but killing people in the name of Islam is Unjust!
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shafi
Feb 09, 2010 05:23pm
Terrorists are terrorists but our high and mighty media still calls them, militants, insurgents and also uses names like mullah, or maulana the terrorist ring leaders. The media should be able to call spade a spade. Our Prophet (PBUH) during his last sermon made it haram for a Muslim to kill another Muslim. Obviously these terrorists have no knowledge of his sayings.
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Zeeshan Ahmed
Feb 10, 2010 02:51pm
Harsh Zadoo, as a human being, I empathize with you and anyone who has lost a loved one, especially if it were their own children. But to criticize Pakistan or the Pakistani leadership, is to turn a blind eye to the atrocities committed by extremists against Kashmiri Muslims, which far outnumber the casualties inflicted on the other population of Kashmir. I have always felt, that if the educated and rational-minded Indian population, such as yourself, knew the extent of the brutality committed by forces in Kashmir, they would never support their government
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qurratuain
Feb 09, 2010 06:21pm
These extremists need to be stopped from doing such intolerable acts. Pakistani's need to start a united front against these people and be more vigilant. When some messed up brain wants to indulge into a wrong acts there are signs that can tell what is about to happen. There is a saying "If you see something say something". If someone is suspicious report it to authorities. If someone is loaded with coats and jackets, there is definitely something hidden under those jackets.
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RASHID HUSSAIN[Indiana U.S.A]
Feb 09, 2010 03:56pm
I am pained as always when innocent people are killed in the name of religion by these paid ''fasdis'' and their handlers. Who are their handlers and why, these ''handlers'' themselves never commit suicide bombing to enter ''janaah''. The young and immature minds [or their parents] are traped with the offer of money and ''hoors'' waiting for them in ''jannah. This is the interpretation of Islam that these handlers and their followes are taught by the illiterate and so called ''maulvis'' in the so called ''madressas''.
In the last , I , request our ''ahle tashis'' sisters and brothers that knowing the present state of law and order situation in our country, they should either defer or confine these rituals to their houses so as to avoid murders of innocent people by the forces of evil let loose by enemies of Islam.
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Aejaz
Feb 09, 2010 02:49pm
It is really very sad and tragic. May Allah give them patience.
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pnpuri
Feb 10, 2010 02:43pm
the death in any form including as a result of accident or natural death is sad. but the killing of innocent, apparently done as a holy act 'jihad', even God will not condone such act. there is no jihad. it is an act of madman instigated by non-believer disguised as a believers. one can not help but sypathise with victim of these wanton act , but more important is unreserved condemnation of such act in the name of god.
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Desi
Feb 09, 2010 03:00pm
Neither Muslims nor Pakistanis can do these atrocious activities! We all know who is responsible and rest assured we will give them appropriate response at an opportune time! May peace be with him and those who suffered!
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falak
Feb 09, 2010 07:03pm
It's really sad to say that all these terrorists activities are taking place in our country, but the matter on which we all should ponder upon is, how to stop these activities. According to my perspective the Muslims in Pakistan should forget their religious differences and unite together in order to eradicate terrorism from our beloved land Pakistan.
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Abdur Rahman
Feb 09, 2010 07:59pm
Everyone is bashing suicide bombers for these killings. How do you know it was done by the suicide bombers? Most of the times these bombings are by the foreign intelligence agencies to create animosity between sunnis and shias. Use your brains before jumping in to conclusions.
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Yawar Shah
Feb 09, 2010 05:05pm
Governments first and foremost duty is to protect the life and property of its citizens. The reign of terror let loose by extremists and enemies of the country, should be dealt with an iron hand, or the government would be failing in it's duty and should quit.
After bombing a religious procession in Karachi, extremists burnt and destroyed shops and businesses for several hours, destruction was in hundreds of crores, damaging the economy of the country, with no intervention from the police and rangers there? Why? We the people, demand impartial investigation at the highest level, which can be done by a Supreme Court appointed Commission, as this is failure of the Sindh government not only due to it's shocking incompetence, but by failure of accountability as well.
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Ashok Kaul,bhu
Feb 09, 2010 05:05pm
Human beings are not substituted. Kindly teach children that faith, which respects every human being irrespective of the accident of birth attached to him or her.
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Amir
Feb 09, 2010 04:45pm
Please do not aggrandize these killers by giving them decent names like Taliban or Jihadis. They are the worst of the criminals committing heinous crimes against humanity. Being a Christian, Pacifist and a Humanist, I can't preach the concept of "Eye for an Eye", for that is the difference between them and I. That is the difference between a human and an animal.
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Tariq A
Feb 16, 2010 10:58pm
Maybe, We should become Secular country and leave religion out of all Govt affairs.
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Tariq A
Feb 16, 2010 11:02pm
Who will decide what those teachings are? I am sure terrorist believe that they fighting for Islam. A doze of reality is needed. Making religion as guide has landed many nations in trouble. Israel is another example. Don't give the dogmatic answer that my religion is better than the other. Unfortunately all religious zealous think the same irrespective of their denominations
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Sadia Hussain
Feb 17, 2010 12:14pm
The amount of tears shed due to the atrocities of Taliban is countless, for years these extremists have killed innocent civilians without showing any remorse. As their support base now shrinks they have resorted to brain wash young minds as reveals the case of Meena a 13 year old girl who was nearly beaten to death because she refused to become a suicide bomber.
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S. A. M.
Feb 16, 2010 09:35am
No this is not the clue. Are you suggesting that we should stop doing anything or visiting places which can be attacked? If this is the suggestion than we cannot go anywhere. We are not save in our own houses. To put your suggestion into practical terms the people will have to leave Pakistan and go to some other place. Is this possible for all the Pakistan's large population?
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neyaab
Feb 16, 2010 08:57am
Its horriab
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Zaki Ahmad
Feb 14, 2010 07:24pm
Needless to say that all terrorist acts have some motive -- it is like a crime, a heinous crime. A smart police and government agency can find the motive and discuss it and dissect it and defuse the matter with caution and intelligence. A smart policeman can also find the people who helped or masterminded the act. Pakistani government and police should learn how to deal with acts of terrorism. Pakistani police have proved themselves totally incompetent and worthless. They have to be very active and efficient and hard working. I hope they have a research cell. They need to have tighter security, more surveillance cameras and informants. If you are sincere, assemble all your resources. Don
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Jobs in Pakistan
Feb 13, 2010 11:40pm
Everyone is speechless on these horribly terrible acts happening in Pakistan. Not sure if I can address Govt. or the nation. But I am very sure this is the time to ask for collective forgiveness from Allah.
May All keep us all safe blessed with full faith and prosperity!
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Abdullah Hussain
Feb 14, 2010 03:58pm
I feel very much moved. We need to examine who are the peoples behind. Talibans as it is commonly taken for granted OR the hidden hand that wants to create unrest in Pakistan. They plan so intelligently that they always succeed in camouflaging their ugly deeds. Our intelligentsia should work hard.
AH
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zia
Feb 13, 2010 07:04am
Follow Islamic teachings all problems will be solved. Inshallah
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Arif
Feb 13, 2010 07:10am
Dear All Muslims
We need to Unite, and should follow the Muhammad(PBUH) way of life, May Allah forgive our sin
Salam
-Arif
Chennai, India
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zia
Feb 13, 2010 07:03am
Innocent peoples blood should not be dropped at any cost.
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Shah nawaz alam
Feb 13, 2010 07:51am
Going to schools , going to work and bringing religion on to the streets are two separate things,
Islam is not the religion of rituals,
Religious procession are not out of one religion zeal but rather provocative in nature and also show of strength of each sect.
The attitude and approach needs to be changed
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Ali Agha
Feb 15, 2010 09:16am
Staying at home will give a sense of victory to the terrorist(s), who's even targetting your homes and places of worship(s). Suggesting them to stay at home or confine yourself within a boundary wall, is like asking them to give up your cause for which you stand -- who wants to loose, especially if you are determined to achieve your goals, both worldly and spiritually!
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S. A. M.
Feb 13, 2010 08:28am
I completely agree with Dr. hussain. the sooner we realise that the terrorists are not against a certain section of our society the better. the terrorists are now targeting all people without any discrimintaion. The shopping malls, schools and offices are places where people from all provinces merge. I would say that they are targeting a common pakistani.
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Peace on earth
Feb 13, 2010 01:16pm
Sympathy to the victims, I don't understand these Shia's why don't they stay in their homes or Imam bardhas. Why they are blocking roads. I ask these Shias save yourselves and others as well.
May Allah Guide us All
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Harsh Zadoo
Feb 10, 2010 08:55am
This is very sad. No father, mother, son, or daughter must have to face this in their lifetimes, or a million lifetimes thereafter. I am a Hindu from Kashmir. My grandfather had passed on and in 1990 my grandmother was forced to leave her home, one night, with her son and his entire family. They fled from Kashmir, just the way the previous generation had fled from Karachi and Lahore. Only then they were confronting a partition, but now my relatives were confronting the jihad launched by so called jihadis.
What you see in this picture has been experienced by me and countless more Hindus in Kashmir at the hands extremists.
For what we Hindus experienced in Kashmir, I cannot wish bad on someone else, and only feel deep sympathy for these two family members in the picture whose expressions are confused, profusely sad, and helpless. Having been in this same place myself, I can only pray that God give them strength in this moment, as he did to me. I hope that the Pakistani judicial system is able to confront and restrain such people. As the sufi saint prays - Kitney balayein aayee, sub ko galey lagaya, ab tum sey nahin hai koi pardah, moula Saleem Chishti.
I cannot judge the people of Pakistan, but truly wonder about the leadership in the country.
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Dr.Hussain
Feb 10, 2010 07:32pm
@ umair sir even if we take ur suggestion seriously what guarantee is there that terrorist are not going to bomb that...remember Hyderi Masjid, Imam bargah-e-ali raza, 12th rabi ul awwal Nishtar park. Sir cant you see whats the motive behind such attacks they want us to leave all those activities and confine to our home whats the guarantee that they leave your workplace alone not even school and hospitals are safe. If this is the case don't go to any hospital and don't send your children to school as they aren't safe either
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Muhammad.Quddus
Feb 11, 2010 02:23am
Each time after the Shia-Sunni violence, we pretend to be surprised. Some point their fingers at the ruling party and some fear the outsider's conspiracy. Almost everbody agree the importance of education. Education not in the religious schools but in schools where the students could distinguish between two ideals, the ideals of "liberal democracy" and the ideals of "Islamic theocracy." Up until then, we are expected to behave the way we have been behaving, simply acting helpless and watching the anarchy to take its course.
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Umair Nathani
Feb 10, 2010 06:05am
I feel sorry for the family members of innocent people killed! Look with all due respect to Shia Muslims, I would like to request the leaders of Shia Community to restrict the religious activities to Mosques or if required to some Grounds or Stadium so that security personnel can provide appropriate security to them. Because the way Shia Muslims are being targeted by Terrorists the entire Shia Community should take steps to make their loved one save from these attacks !
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Javed
Feb 10, 2010 06:17am
Hardly a day goes by when one does not hear of an explosion in some part of Pakistan. This proves one reality to me: Either certain "security elements" know and acquiesce to such mayhem or these agencies are so incompetent that they have no clue.
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TruthSeeker
Feb 10, 2010 04:47am
We must condemn such cowardly acts of these terrorists and must try to identify and isolate them.
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clare
Feb 10, 2010 05:05am
We must fight this madness together and save our country. Few evil men have no right to destroy a beloved country. We have only one Pakistan and we don't take care of it. Give up this madness and embrace kindness and decency. Your children will ask you one day "why didn't you stop it 'then what will you say?
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Taslim
Feb 10, 2010 05:51pm
Dear, Harsh Zaddoo, our sympathies with you as well as with other sufferers including these aged men.
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Murtuza Babrawala
Feb 09, 2010 10:24pm
The Taliban and other extremist organisations are savages and must be finished. Pakistan's security forces must work harder to stop Taliban and other extremist and finish them off.
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