State writ under question

In what appeared to be "reaction" to one of the deadliest actions from the alleged terrorists in Lahore, Pakistan's security agencies have launched operation in the Punjab. However, the Punjab government is still reluctant to call the Rangers and empower them as it is in Karachi. Is Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif still waiting for more such terror attacks? Is this not the time for a decisive action? 

While the Punjab government remained indecisive over calling the paramilitary force for full-fledged operation, it has been launched after a high powered meeting on security matters was presided over by army chief. 

What happened Sunday in Lahore and Islamabad, and to some extent in Karachi, clearly exposed the state writ. If thousands of protesters are allowed to enter a highly protected Red Zone of the federal capital and practically take control of the area, the situation is too alarming. 

If the terror in the Punjab had shocked the whole nation, it raised question about our "intelligence network." Why the operation which was launched after suspected suicide blast was not launched before the deadly incident, which killed over 70 people and injured over 300, including men, women and children. It’s amazing that after the blast, most parks in Karachi were closed. 

 It may be a coincidence that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif held separate meeting of "national security" on Lahore and Islamabad incidents, the need of the hour is a collective and decisive action. 

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan has rightly called for national consensus in the aftermath of Lahore blast like the one nation witnessed after children’s massacre at Army Public School, Peshawar in 2014. It is time to revisit National Action Plan, which even otherwise remained on "paper"? 

Following NAP, many outlawed organisations around the country came on surface with fresh names while others took shelter in other religious parties and alliances. The way forward demands drastic measures, sincerity and capability to meet the challenges. It’s not the question of fixing responsibility on one or two persons or agencies, it demands something more than routine "high level" meetings on security. 

On Sunday, it appeared as if the "initiative" was in the hands of the protesters and they picked their spot to attack and burn. While in Lahore a suicide bomber killed innocent people, in Islamabad also the government was never in control. Over 10,000 people is too big a crowd to "enter" Red Zone and that too without much resistance. The manner in which the whole situation was mishandled, demands "action" not any "judicial commission”. 

After arson and attack on public and private properties, the administration hold negotiations with them and later allowed them to hold "dharna." 

For three to four hours, it was free for all and had the protesters wanted, they could have entered parliament house and even sensitive buildings like those of the Supreme Court, President and PM Houses, PTV headquarters and diplomatic enclave, but better sense prevailed and some of their leaders stopped protesters from attacking these buildings. 

 Though an isolated incident, what happened in Junaid Jamshaid's case clearly reflects the "state of affairs" in the country. Similarly, in Karachi, activists of a youth wing of a religious party attacked cameramen, TV van and journalists outside the Karachi Press Club. They also tried to enter the club. 

Though, Lahore blast shocked the nation, some of us still looked for excuses to find out causes of terrorism. Those who are behind these acts of terrorism are also taking the responsibility. The killing of over 70 people including women and children and injuries to over 300 people should be enough for the government to go for effective "operation." 

We have a habit of "reaction" after every action like the one Punjab government has now ordered security of parks and playgrounds. Perhaps, lives of these 70 people could have been saved, had such security measures been taken in the light of the general security alert about all "public places." 

The opposition, instead of taking advantage of this most horrifying incident should join hands with the government for evolving a collective policy. Situation demands serious review of National Action Plan and its strict enforcement. These incidents also coincided with March 27 deadline given to the government by religious parties, who may now review their protest campaign.

 One really wondered what the parliament would do except "blamegame." Can our parliamentarians come out with a solution after serious debate, which should not merely be on criticism of the government but on threat to our national security. 

Whether the Intelligence Bureau, whose DG just got another extension, had issued any specific or general warning about possible violence, what about Special Branch or other intelligence agencies? This is not the first time that Islamabad administration had failed in protecting the "Red Zone," not to talk of protecting the capital. 

Had the "Red Zone" be given either in the control of the Rangers, or army be put on high alert since early morning as presumptive measures, things would not have gone to that extent. There is no doubt that in the post operation "Zarb-e-Azb", there has been marked improvement in law and order situation and terrorist attacks have also declined, but what happened in Islamabad, reflects major weaknesses of government approach to handling such situations. It required serious thinking on that part of "civil and military" leadership, if we are really serious about National Action Plan. 

Media has been under attack for long but what happened at the "Karachi Press Club," could be worst, as the attackers were fully armed, came with a purpose and almost succeeded. The cameramen and reporters who were covering the event could have become the "target" after a group tried to burn a TV channel van, took away cameras and other equipment. The press club falls in the jurisdiction of Karachi's "red zone," where all protest and demonstrations were banned.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif did the right thing when he cancelled his visit to London, but before going to the United States in the next few days, he needs to take some drastic actions in consultation with the military leadership. 

Operation "Zarb-e-Azb" may be coming to its logical conclusion in North Waziristan, but the developments in Balochistan, Punjab and Karachi require a new phase of operation as well as major reforms. Situation is far from satisfactory and the National Action Plan is unable to give any concrete or even short-term results. Clarity is required in our narrative, without which one fears, we will not be able to find right direction to make Pakistan safer. 

  The writer is the senior columnist and analyst of Geo, The News and Jang.