Editorial
Mosque blast in Pakistan
Uglier face of militancy
The bomb blast in a mosque in Peshwar that left 50 people killed and scores injured has sent shock waves throughout the world. No one in a sensible state of mind can comprehend anyone spilling blood of innocent devotees in a prayer house, that again on the Eid day. The mindless act was disrespect for religion of the worst kind and deserves condemnation in strongest of words. What is more distressing is the fact that introduction of suicide attacks on soft targets for attaining political gains will have added a new but dangerous dimension to the strife-ridden politics in Pakistan.
Preliminary investigation following the blast has fingers pointed at some extremist religious groups who are believed to hold grudges against President Parvez Musharraf, and Mr Aftab Sherpao, the top security official in Pakistan. There is a strong possibility that he has been targeted for coming down too heavily in his attempts to purge the mountainous areas of the heavily armed militants. But there is also the whisper in the air that he could have been on the hit list for announcing his name as a candidate for the next parliamentary election. And while making public its reaction, the US government said that al-Qaeda had focused on attacking the Pakistani government.
Ironically, the suicide bombing came within a week after President Musharraf had lifted the state of emergency saying that the threats from Islamic militants have been contained. It has also come at a time when the administrative machinery in Pakistan has been gearing up for a general election in January 2008. Apparently the fringe groups are out to destroy the morale of the people, especially voters, so that it does not ensure the government a smooth sailing through the election.
The proliferation of the armed militants in Pakistan is a phenomenon the present and future governments will have to face squarely. These groups have found allies not only within the country but also in some neighbouring countries and the fact that two Afghans have been arrested along with some students from an Islamic seminary not far from the mosque provides valuable insight into the matter. Pakistan will have to look for enemies of Islam within rather than without and hence the present government will have to take a whole new strategy to pave the way for democracy through national reconciliation.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments