Editorial
Suicide attacks in Pakistan
They reveal the pressures the country is under
THE increasing frequency with which terrorists are targeting Pakistan's security and defence establishment demonstrates the ever-escalating levels of danger posed to the country. This past week alone there have been two suicide attacks, the second one taking Lahore in its vicious grip on Friday. This latest attack has left no fewer than 45 people dead and scores of others severely injured. The worry is that this new attack was targeted at the army, which included the cantonment, homes of military officials and institutions such as hospitals and schools run by the army. The bigger worry is that where the aim earlier was to spread fear among soldiers, it now appears that these suicide bombers have widened the net to include anyone and everyone related to the military. Of the greatest significance is the fact that the terrorists are these days finding it rather easy to penetrate the perimeters of the security establishment in the country. They have killed policemen, soldiers and others before and now they feel they can keep doing it with ease.
The fragility of the state establishment in Pakistan is what is revealed by these attacks. And note that it seems to have become a macabre pattern for suicide bombers to target people in the country every Friday, especially as the Juma congregations are about to take place or are already underway. That Pakistan's administration, either civil or military, has not been able so far to curb such activities points to the besieged nature of politics in the country. It is all a sign of the critical nature of conditions there, with a government that is hamstrung not only by a lack of effectual performance.
The judiciary, having lifted the immunity earlier granted to President Zardari with regard to corruption charges against him, would now like a re-investigation of the cases against him. It is thus a restive Pakistan the world must deal with. As if to emphasise this point, the Indian home minister has warned that Pakistan must reinvent itself as a responsible neighbour and a genuine democracy. All of this only goes to show the pressures Pakistan is under, pressures that only a strong and yet enlightened approach on the part of its leadership can handle.
It is difficult to see how Pakistan's internal security can be stabilised soon, although we would like that to happen for the sake of peace in the region. There is little question that an efficient intelligence system to track down militancy is a paramount need. At the same time, it is important that the democratic process in the country is not undermined in the name of a strengthening of security.
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