Live and let live

The Peshawar tragedy will be etched in Pakistan’s history as the darkest day. It was the day when humanity stood still and watched as innocents were robbed of their lives. Forty days have passed since the innocent schoolchildren and their teachers were barbarically murdered. The agonisingly paralysed emotions have been replaced with anger and frustration at the incompetence and dismissive behaviour of our rulers. Securing a checklist for safety measures outside school premises and removal of the moratorium on death penalty are tentative measures that will not solve the root problem of terrorism in Pakistan.
We, the people of Pakistan, need to be united on this issue. Showering flowers on vans carrying bodies of the executed criminals, openly killing and silently acquiescing to the murders of social workers who speak in support of the rights of women and minority communities – all these acts form part of the extremist behaviour that needs to be checked. Only when we all agree and act on the basic principles of live and let live can we enforce our beliefs on our corrupt leaders.
Barrister Mobeen Shah
UK