People to govt after deadly terrorist attacks: We want action

Delawar Jan

PESHAWAR: Deadly terrorist attacks that mowed down over 140 innocent people in Peshawar during the last eight days are eroding people’s support for talks with the Taliban, dealing a major blow to efforts by the federal and provincial governments to seek a peaceful solution to terrorism.

The feeling among the people that Taliban have no respect for talks is rising. The attacks are fast changing the public opinion and many are now demanding military action against the militants. Also, anger against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government is raging for its failure to protect the people or take a clear-cut stance against terrorism. Imran Khan’s suggestion to allow the Taliban to open an office prompted many to heap scorn on him.

“No talks, launch offensive (against Taliban),” chanted members of the civil society who protested at the blast site. “Imran, open your eyes,” they yelled, urging him to realise the Taliban were irreconcilable.

The All Parties Conference on September 9 agreed to hold negotiations with the Taliban to find a solution to the decade-old terrorism. However, the atmosphere was vitiated by the Taliban attacks, all major.

The September 15 attack in the border region of Upper Dir killed a two-star general who was in command of the security forces in the Malakand Division, a lieutenant colonel and a soldier. Suicide attacks on the All Saints Church on September 22 killed 84, a bus explosion claimed 19 lives in Gulbela and on Sunday the car bombing in Qissa Khwani killed over 40.

“The government should decide whether they stand with the people or terrorists,” said a protester, Sikandar Hayat, who held a placard and a lit a candle to remember the people killed in the blast. He said the PTI government should come out of fear and stand to the ‘terrorists.’

“We want one decisive thing: a military operation,” said Taimur Iqbal. “Repetitive talks have borne no result,” he added. He said the PTI government had surrendered to the militants and the federal government was also unwilling to take on them.

Nighat Orakzai, a woman lawmaker of the Pakistan People’s Party, said talks could not be held with terrorists. “All the people martyred today must be asking God that for what fault they were killed,” she said. The aggressive MPA said she would throw the shoes of a two-year-old girl killed in the blast in the coming assembly session to shame the PTI out of silence and fear.

“Tell the leader who is demanding an office for the Taliban to set it up at his home,” she taunted, prompting people around her to shout, “establish the office in the Chief Minister’s House.” At the blast site, faces were grim. People had no idea what to do and who to turn to. “Pray that God help us,” Mohammad Abid helplessly told a caller. The explosion took place a few metres away from his watch shop. Pointing to a muddied teapot and cups, he said that he and his cousin took Qehwa minutes before the blast. “As my cousin left towards the site of the blast, the explosion occurred,” he said, without showing any expression. “He ran to me soaked in blood,” he added.

Sardar Khalid Mehmood, who lives in the street behind the site of the blast, said the explosion shook their houses. “There is no house where windowpanes are intact,” he said. “A hotel caught fire and several Chitralis were trapped there. We evacuated them from the rear of the building,” he added. Mehmood said one of their neighbours, who had suffered injuries in the blast on Bashir Bilour, was killed in this blast.

The spate of bomb explosions is worrying everyone for the safety of their dear ones. “Today, I received more than 20 calls from my mother after the blast to inquire whether I was fine,” a taxi driver Abdul Hakeem said. “And she didn’t get satisfied with my assurances, demanding of me to return home,” he added.

The site was marked by shattered glasses, twisted shutters, hanging wires and several notes announcing death and Namaz-e-Janaza of individuals. One note said, “Zalimo jawab do, khoon ka hisaab do.”

Tractors were removing the scattered debris; Pesco workers were repairing the damaged electricity supply lines and fire brigade sprinkling water on the smoldering hotel building. Police had cordoned off the area, probably the only thing they are left to do as they have been unsuccessful to foil the attacks.

Television channels had lined up DSNGs to broadcast activities live from the site. The Khyber Bazaar and Qissa Khwani Bazaar were shut down after the blast, a common sight by now after every attack. “Only the name of Qissa Khwani has remained. It has lost all charm and attraction,” Muhammad Abid said. “Graveyard is better today than the Qissa Khwani Bazaar,” he lamented.