Yet another cowardly act of global terrorism claims the lives of the innocent and the unsuspecting. No one is safe anywhere; the evil of terrorism constantly looms above, be it on your way home from work on a mundane monsoon evening in Mumbai, while in prayer at a religious congregation in Karachi or holidaying in Bali — terrorism kills indiscriminately.
Those who lost their lives in the Mumbai blasts were not responsible for any wrong steps that the Government of India may have taken, as perhaps believe the perpetrators of the attack. Pakistan was deeply saddened by the attacks. Mere words cannot express the sorrow we feel for the families of those affected by the terrible tragedy. More so because the fingers of blame are being pointed our way.
In the wake of the Mumbai blasts, I received the strangest e-mail. A friend of mine from Mumbai wrote that her family was concerned about her being in touch with me “while all this tension was going on”. But she herself wasn’t as apprehensive “in spite of our countries trying to kill each other”. That was news to me. I never knew India and Pakistan were at war! I don’t remember writing any such e-mail to my friends from across the border after multiple bomb blasts in Karachi.
Both the reaction of my friend and the Government of India has been disappointing. Without any proof whatsoever, they decided so easily, and up to the highest level, to accuse Pakistan.
{{/usCountry}}Both the reaction of my friend and the Government of India has been disappointing. Without any proof whatsoever, they decided so easily, and up to the highest level, to accuse Pakistan.
{{/usCountry}}Why is it always Pakistan that’s blamed for atrocities across India? Why is it that rebels within India or terrorist groups within the region who have their own scores to settle are not even considered possible suspects? How many times has the Pakistan government blamed India for Waziristan or Balochistan? Almost never!
Terrorism is a state of mind; a terrorist does not belong to any religion nor to any faith, but festers within himself an overpowering sense of inhumanity and heartlessness. The main purpose of those behind the blasts was to derail the peace process between India and Pakistan. Judging from the reaction of the Indian government and even more sadly our friends, the criminals have been very successful in doing just that.
At times like this, it is crucial for the government and the media on both sides of the divide to exercise restraint and act with utmost responsibility to prevent the strained state of affairs from deteriorating further.
(The writer is Program Manager, Sunbiz TV, Karachi)