Ghazala Anbreen
A targeted explosive attack claimed the lives of six people with five Chinese nationals and their Pakistani driver in Besham in the northwest Pakistan on 26th March, 2024 while they were travelling from Islamabad to Dasu. It would be important to mention here that Dasu hosts significant dam projects and has been subject to terror attacks earlier too. In 2021 a bus explosion resulted in the casualty of 12 people including 9 Chinese nationals.
At present Pakistan is facing difficulties on economic and political fronts. It is facing two main insurgencies, one from Islamists and the other from ethnic militant separatist groups. Last year almost 700 people were killed in different terror related incidents. Most of the attacks targeted regions on Pakistan borders along Afghanistan. Though Afghan leadership has repeatedly denied for any involvement, there can be a possibility that the militant groups based in Afghanistan are responsible for this. A renowned Pakistani journalist Zahid Hussain in his book on Islamic extremism, “The struggle with militant Islam” says that large areas of northwest province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have a heavy presence of Pakistan Taliban and have become a centre of Islamic extremist groups”.
In response Pakistan retaliates by either shutting the borders between the two countries or may also resort to air strikes. The question arises why the militants are attacking Pakistan? Suicide bombers support the ideology which is allied with Afghan Taliban like the implementation for shariah law and Islamic Caliphate. They are made to believe that the Pakistani government is propagating the cause of the western world.
Development projects and the people associated with them have been the target of terrorism, especially in South Western Balochistan. Ethnic militant separatist groups are active there. Important strategic projects are targeted through these iniquitous activities. Basic purpose of such acts is to destabilize the internal security of Pakistan.
They believe that there is discrimination in distribution of resources. China has invested over 65 billion US dollars as infrastructure projects as part of the CPEC in its ambitious BRI projects. Most of the projects are in Baluchistan. The militants equate it as a way of Chinese colonialism. They see it as snatching of their resources. The locals are poisoned by the anti-state agents that their resources are usurped by Punjab and the locals are being deprived. During my stay at Balochistan a local told me they had the mountains of gold and the Pakistan government has sold many of them to the Chinese.
The recent incidence and others similar to this are a big setback for the country. Need is to take practical measures to curb them and ensure safety of the Chinese nationals through special fool proof arrangements. The attacks come a week ago as the PM Pakistan is expected to fly to Beijing, his first foreign visit after taking office. This also leaves us perplexed and question whether the Chinese government will allow and still will rely on Pakistan security forces for its interests?
All the individuals should play their important part as we are passing through a challenging stage at present. Teachers, media, intelligentsia and religious scholars should create awareness among masses especially the youth and kids studying at Islamic seminaries. They should be acquainted with the Islamic message of peace and tolerance. Islam teaches respect for human life and condemns violence, fighting and bloodshed. Quran says that saving one’s life is equivalent to saving whole humanity and vice versa. Islam is a very forward looking, liberal and peace-loving religion.
The clauses of Madinah charter are a part of the UN charter for Human Rights. On 20th Ramadan, on the eve of conquest of Makkah, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) had declared, “Whoever enters Abu Sufyan’s house will be safe. Whoever leaves his weapons will be safe. Whoever enters his house and closes his door will be safe”. The Prophet (PBUH) summoned all the commanders of the army and said to them, “It is my earnest desire that Makkah should be conquered without any bloodshed”.
This essence of peace is basic with Islam which should be inculcated in the heart and mind of every young Muslim. Social media handles can be used to propagate the real message of Islam and show to the world its true picture which denies cruelty and bloodshed in all their forms. It should be modernized. In Egypt and Libya uniform syllabus is adopted for all sects in the schools. On same principals we can model our syllabi to foster harmony among different sects and avoid extremism.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has called for joint investigation by military and civilian officials to be carried out into this suicide bombing attack. Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Atta Ullah Tarar also said that protection of Chinese interests and nationals will be ensured and Chinese interests and nationals will be protected.
Pakistan needs a holistic policy to counter extremism. The attacks are an attempt to undermine the China-Pakistan cooperation. To curb such unfortunate incidences the security arrangement need to be reviewed. Operations should be carried out to eliminate the sanctuaries of extremists and terrorists using religion card to promote their untoward cause. Religious clergies can spread the message that Islam does not favour at all such acts of barbarism and is against all such heinous acts. On state level Pakistan can engage with Taliban leadership in a meaningful dialogue as a way to counter the dangerous threat of terrorism and promote a soft image of Pakistan in the world.
