Terrorists Are Happy Over The Election Results In Pakistan
Muhammad Khurshid
February 28, 2008
It is interesting to note that terrorists have welcomed the election results saying that the new government will abandon war on terror launched by President Pervez Musharraf on the request of the United States. It seems that some of the political parties have directly been funded by terrorists. They want the removal of Musharraf, the only hurdle in their way. The opposition parties have also geared up campaign against Musharraf. But terrorist attacks have further aggravated the situation in the country.
According to a newspaper comment, the dastardly attack by bearded gunmen on the office of an international NGO in Mansehra that had been engaged in relief work since the devastating earthquake of October 2005 is another indication of the extent of the militant madness sweeping across the country. The gunmen burst into the office after overpowering the security guard, opened fire on personnel killing at least five, hurled hand grenades and then set fire to relief goods intended for quake victims. Those injured in the attack have described scenes of terror and mayhem.
This is not the first of such perverse attacks on organizations attempting to bring succour to Pakistani people facing peril. Many NGOs, in Mansehra, Allai, Quetta and in other parts of NWFP and Balochistan have already closed down offices or reduced staff due to the threat they have faced. In parts of the country, workers of both international and local NGOs have faced harassment or threat. In Mansehra in particular, over the past two years, 'fatwas' have been issued against NGOs, which have absurdly been accused of serving 'Jewish interests' and warnings given that women workers be pulled out. The fact that many women no longer feel safe working in these areas has affected many areas of humanitarian work, including the polio vaccination drive.
The latest tragedy in Mansehra is a direct consequence of the failure in the past to deal with those making threats or ordering female workers to leave the region. Over the last year, authorities have permitted literature promoting such hatred to be circulated or displayed on walls. The clerics, who have in some cases named themselves in the edicts issued by them, have not been penalized. Nor was action taken against others delivering commands to drive out NGOs from mosque loudspeakers. The tolerance shown for such militant criminals, willing to misuse religion in an attempt to expand their own hold on people and keep them in an age of darkness, has led to their growing fearlessness and willingness to commit the most cold-blooded, dastardly act of murder. Among their latest victims is at least one woman.
The incident will, almost certainly, act to force other NGOs out of Pakistan, particularly its northern areas. This can have only a negative impact on the humanitarian situation where, even those who were not affected by the 2005 earthquake, live lives of abject deprivation. It will also mean that, in the future, when natural calamity walks Pakistan's way, international organizations may not be willing to bring their expertise and aid o the country, for fear that such efforts may lead to loss of life of their staff members.
For these reasons, and to alter the image of Pakistan as a nation that breeds militants, no efforts must be spared to track down those responsible for the latest attack. A strong message must be delivered against all those engaged in such acts of violence -- so NGOs and others engaged in humanitarian work can be assured that authorities are on their side, and not that of the militant killers.
According to a newspaper comment, the dastardly attack by bearded gunmen on the office of an international NGO in Mansehra that had been engaged in relief work since the devastating earthquake of October 2005 is another indication of the extent of the militant madness sweeping across the country. The gunmen burst into the office after overpowering the security guard, opened fire on personnel killing at least five, hurled hand grenades and then set fire to relief goods intended for quake victims. Those injured in the attack have described scenes of terror and mayhem.
This is not the first of such perverse attacks on organizations attempting to bring succour to Pakistani people facing peril. Many NGOs, in Mansehra, Allai, Quetta and in other parts of NWFP and Balochistan have already closed down offices or reduced staff due to the threat they have faced. In parts of the country, workers of both international and local NGOs have faced harassment or threat. In Mansehra in particular, over the past two years, 'fatwas' have been issued against NGOs, which have absurdly been accused of serving 'Jewish interests' and warnings given that women workers be pulled out. The fact that many women no longer feel safe working in these areas has affected many areas of humanitarian work, including the polio vaccination drive.
The latest tragedy in Mansehra is a direct consequence of the failure in the past to deal with those making threats or ordering female workers to leave the region. Over the last year, authorities have permitted literature promoting such hatred to be circulated or displayed on walls. The clerics, who have in some cases named themselves in the edicts issued by them, have not been penalized. Nor was action taken against others delivering commands to drive out NGOs from mosque loudspeakers. The tolerance shown for such militant criminals, willing to misuse religion in an attempt to expand their own hold on people and keep them in an age of darkness, has led to their growing fearlessness and willingness to commit the most cold-blooded, dastardly act of murder. Among their latest victims is at least one woman.
The incident will, almost certainly, act to force other NGOs out of Pakistan, particularly its northern areas. This can have only a negative impact on the humanitarian situation where, even those who were not affected by the 2005 earthquake, live lives of abject deprivation. It will also mean that, in the future, when natural calamity walks Pakistan's way, international organizations may not be willing to bring their expertise and aid o the country, for fear that such efforts may lead to loss of life of their staff members.
For these reasons, and to alter the image of Pakistan as a nation that breeds militants, no efforts must be spared to track down those responsible for the latest attack. A strong message must be delivered against all those engaged in such acts of violence -- so NGOs and others engaged in humanitarian work can be assured that authorities are on their side, and not that of the militant killers.
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