How much is too much?

Inaction on August killings leads to another tragedy

WHILE protests related to the killing of over 70 people in Quetta in August (mostly lawyers) still continue, there was yet another major terrorist attack in the city. The DG Rangers announced within hours of the incident that the attack was launched by LeJ Al Almi and that the terrorists had been receiving instructions from Afghanistan. Chief Minister Zehri said he had reports about four terrorists entering Quetta. What is the use of this information if those possessing it failed to stop the attack? While there

is a need to identify the terrorists and their associates, even more important is to inquire into the lapses on the part of the provincial administration and the security agencies that made the task of the terrorists easier. While it might suit some to explain away an avoidable tragedy as the handiwork of the enemies of CPEC or RAW or Afghan agents, many think domestic incompetence helps the latter carry out their designs

There was no proper enquiry into the August attack. The facts that surfaced during the SC hearings into August killings indicated serious lapses in the working of the provincial administration and security agencies When SC appointed a judge as Enquiry Commission, the provincial administration opposed the appointment. Instead of hiding things there is a need for an independent, high level probe into the present terrorist act that resulted in the killing of more than sixty young police cadets.

The unending attacks from across the LoC and Working Boundary already pose a threat to Pakistan’s security. To add to these there were no less than five terrorist attacks, albeit of relatively minor significance, on Tuesday in KP, Balochistan and Sindh besides the one on police training academy. The PTI’s call for locking down Islamabad could not have come at a more inopportune moment. The events indicate a similar attack could not be ruled out during the sit-in. This would give birth to uncertain conditions that do not suit the country. One expects Imran Khan to revise his decision regarding the sit-in.