On 20th January 2016, the nation was shocked by another terrorist attack. This time it was the Baccha Khan University, Charsadda, which was in the line of fire. It was a devastating tragedy which claimed numerous lives and left a number of people injured. Unfortunately, however, these attacks don’t really mean anything to many of us. Nowadays, our reaction to any terrorist attack is to first note how many people lost their lives in the attack exactly and only then we decide whether it was an attack worth shedding tears on or it was one that we can be just ‘upset’ about. My heart bleeds each time I see these coldhearted people targeting innocent civilians. I was in shock when I came to know they are targeting knowledge seekers, the students, who come out of their homes in the quest of knowledge so that one day they may get to serve their country.
This is the nation that has become to grieve the untimely death of its young defenders. Politicians and analysts should know better than to demoralize our brave soldiers by ignoring and downplaying their sacrifices, as some of them do. Their inane rhetoric does not matter; the Pakistani nation stands by its armed forces. Our armed forces have proved their corage and dedication whether it’s Zarb-e-Azb operation or defending the motherland in time of calamity. They have shed - and continue to shed - their blood in defence of their homeland. They will not stop until they rid Pakistan of terrorism for good. Terrorism is like a cancer which needs to be eradicated to prsderve this nation. Our future will remain bleak if due steps are not taken at the right time.
It has been a long and tough struggle against extremists. The sad truth is while the recent attack is the greatest example of inhumanity, cruelty, barbarism and terrorism; it is not the last act. These problems won’t keep Pakistan from standing up again though; like always, the nation will fight against all its enemies.
At this point, I want to bring up something really important that is oft-overlooked: where mothers are appreciated for the brave, intelligent and successful children they raise, they are also criticized for inculcating in them negative values, encouraging them directly or indirectly to be cruel and aggressive individuals. There is a saying that a mother’s lap is the first school for a child to learn. Therefore, when we are asking for a change, we need mothers to inculcate humanity and moral values in their offspring. They should be aware of whatever their children do at all times, and must stop them from becoming influenced by extremists and criminals. Mothers can really play a vital role in maintaining peace in any peculiar region. Theirs is an influential role and we can bank on them to stop their kids from going astray.
In conclusion, Pakistani leaders need to take necessary measures to overcome terrorists as well as their allies in the country. They need to declare war against them and be determined to fight them. The nation should fully support its armed forces, which has to counter the terrorists relentlessly. It is the only way we can ever curb Taliban attacks on innocent civilians. Once there is a clear strategy and plan, I am confident that Pakistan as a state and military power will eventually be successful in eliminating terrorism.
