The Quetta and Ziarat incidents are a challenge the anti-state elements have thrown to the new PML-N government which is putting things right to run the state business.
The Quetta Women University bus blast, another at Bolan Medical Complex and targeted firing by the terrorists after they took position on the rooftop and inside the hospital building demonstrate a coordinated act of the nefarious elements they perpetrated this time round in a new manner, obviously pursuing new objectives.
The bus blast and targeted firing which took lives of 23 people came on the heels of a terrorist hit at the Quaid’s Residency in Zairat. In a span of 24 hours three major terror events are indeed highly alarming for the days-old government and suggest more than what meets the eyes.
In Ziarat, the perpetrators left the scene after installing a BLA flag on the building by removing the national flag. It means they belong to the Baloch rebels who demand separation from the federation and are taking shelter on the mountains’ peaks. Thus the whole episode purports an attempt to turn the public mind to the separatists who are always out to foment the anti-state sentiments and encourage rebellion against the federation. But the situation must not be taken at the face value but attempt must be made to get to the bottom.
The prime minister, the president and the heads of different political parties have strongly condemned the incident. The public reaction to the tragedy is even stronger and the people do not want merely lip service from the government and sweeping of the matter under the carpet after some time, but action and total annihilation of the anti-state elements. The people voted out the last regime when it failed to improve the situation and rise to the occasion, and brought PML-N to power pinning high hopes on this party. However, the PML-N government cannot be blamed at this incipient stage when it is still in the process of being settled down. Nonetheless, the government cannot eschew its responsibility towards protecting the people and ending terrorism.
It was sincerity of the PML-N that it appointed nationalist leader and BNP head, Dr Abdul Malik, chief minister of Balochistan with the view that he would bring all warring factions into the mainstream and achieve a lasting peace in that province. A middle-class person, Dr Malik, has got to the job, but he needs time to complete the task and achieve the target.
Unlike the past when insurgents used to target security personnel, government officials, teachers and professionals, this time the prime victims were university girl students. In the tribal traditions of the Baloch, women command a respectable place and killing an innocent woman is considered a dastardly act. In the second round, the terrorists killed FC personnel, nurses and the Quetta deputy commissioner among the common people.
The bus blast and the hospital killings seem interlinked and a well-devised plan. The prime object of the terrorists was to create panic among the masses and to show a weak writ of the government. A weak government means to keep it submissive to those who have interests in Balochistan and peace as well as stability in the province in not acceptable to them. The incident should also be examined in the background of the government intentions to talk peace with the extremists while some major players detest this gesture and want the country to continue to bleed.
