24.06.2013 Barbarous attack at Nanga Parbat
That the scenic mountains of Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B), thus far known for their snow-capped peaks and as a haven for mountaineers, will now become known for the gruesome tragedy that panned out there on June 23, is yet another reminder of the vortex of perpetual violence that has engulfed our country. According to reports, gunmen dressed as paramilitary troops killed nine foreign tourists, including Ukrainian and Chinese climbers, as well as a Pakistani, who were staying at the base camp area of Nanga Parbat, the world’s ninth-highest mountain at a height of over 4,000 metres in the Diamer district of G-B. The responsibility for the attack was initially claimed by the militant group Jundallah, which has in the past also claimed responsibility for a series of attacks on the Shia community, including one in February 2012 when gunmen shot dead 18 bus passengers. Later, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) also accepted responsibility, saying that the attack was a retaliation to the killing of their leader Waliur Rehman, who was killed in a US drone strike recently.
Condemnations have come thick and fast, with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif being in the forefront of these. However, the fact remains that whoever the actual perpetrator of the attack may be — the TTP or Jundallah — our security apparatus has completely failed to apprehend these groups despite the people of our country being repeatedly targeted by them. It is quite clear that those responsible for gathering intelligence to detect the possible attacks these groups may be planning to carry out, and then taking every measure possible to prevent them, have failed in their duties.
It remains to be seen how the new government will deal with the fallout of this incident. The PML-N government has so far laid emphasis on dealing with the security situation through holding talking with the TTP. However, the violence and terrorism that continues to afflict Pakistan clearly shows that talking to those who only believe in violence is not going to solve the huge crisis at hand. The government needs to come down hard on the various militant groups that have killed thousands of our people, and have no qualms about attacking foreign tourists either. It is time that the whole country unites on the issue of terrorism before Pakistan becomes further isolated in the international community.
Security rethink
Considering that security is a key issue for our country, the decisions taken at a high-level meeting in Islamabad on June 20 to rethink the way security personnel are deployed is welcome. The question though is whether the steps announced will be implemented and if so, how effectively and for how long. We have frequently seen lofty promises made by politicians in our country simply fizzle out.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has said that apart from the president, the prime minister and the chief justice of Pakistan, security protocol by civil security services will not be offered to any other individual in the country. He has emphasised that playing the role of guards is not what security forces are intended to do. This is indeed correct. In the past, there have been accounts of how the deployment of personnel belonging to various agencies on VIP security duty reduces the number available for other key tasks in a country torn apart by terrorism and a lack of law and order.
The other decisions taken are also welcome. The interior minister has said that two task forces will be set up — one to review internal security and the other to look into the issue of missing persons. This, too, is a much-needed measure. Both areas are a cause of deep concern in a country where no one can be assured of safety any longer. If the present government can succeed in even partially improving the security situation, it would have taken a huge step and set the bricks in the road, which can lead to more investment, economic growth and development. But, of course, this task will require far more than promises. What has been said is good. It would now be even better to see it being implemented and followed through by sound measures, which can truly bring about a positive change in the situation we all currently live in, with Pakistan considered one of the most dangerous places on earth.