Session 14: Of dark clouds, thunder and lightning

Yesterday Pakistan witnessed another tragedy: Taliban attacked 2 churches in Lahore. It seems we hear about one such horrific disaster each week; for the past couple of weeks the Shia community has been in the spotlight with attacks taking place against them in Shikarpur, Peshawar, and Rawalpindi (http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/pakistan/database/sect-attack.htm)

And no one really does anything about these incidents; nothing which has a long-term, deterrent impact on these activities. 

Based on the link pasted above, if we look at the trend of Shia attacks in Pakistan, the bombings were the highest in 2012; with 18 assaults taking place against the community in which 82 people died. However, if we look at in terms of the death toll, then 2010 was the worst year for Shias: 274 people lost their lives in suicide attacks and target killings. In 2014, 14 people were killed and in 2015, so far 99 Shias have been killed in 5 attacks. It can be seen that 2015 is off to a disastrous start and at this rate- and if these statistics are to be trusted- by the end of the year countless more lives will be lost. 

Everyone agrees that the last year attack on Army Public School Peshawar was one of the darkest moments in Pakistan's history. 132 children lost their lives as Taliban launched a barbaric attack against them. I share the opinion and being an alumnus of the Army Public School network, the attack affected me deeply. Therefore, when the army of Pakistan acted assertively against the perpetrators of violence, I felt my anger and despair reduce just a bit, as I thought justice would finally take place. 

However, one question which arose was: why is it that the efficiency with which the security personnel of this nation responded to the Peshawar attack was/is non-existent when it comes to attacks which take place against Shias or the Christians? Why is it that there was no hue or cry about the other countless schools which the extremists had been blowing up in Pakistan? (http://tribune.com.pk/story/807617/timeline-militant-attacks-on-schools-in-pakistan/)
I hate to do a comparison, as that seems as if I am comparing one tragedy with another but is it because of the scale? 132 children died in the Peshawar attack. One should note, however, that since 2002, 1318 Shias have been killed. 

Is it because they were children- children who are universally recognized as those without blame? Once again, I detest comparing lives but then what about all the Shia, Ahmedi and Christian children who have been killed in Pakistan- were they at fault somehow? Is it just the Sunni children which matter- or is it just the children related to the armed forces of the nation which matter?
The sad reality is that, to me, it seems like in Pakistan some lives are of importance and some are not. Some lives lost are worth the trouble of launching a counter offensive. Others should just be glossed over. 

Don't get me wrong, I am not of the opinion that the security personnel of the nation, such as the police and the army, are indifferent to the plight of the marginalized sections I spoke of. I realize that when these target killings happen, there are always policemen such as those who are stationed outside the mosques/ churches- valiantly defending the people inside- who lose their lives too. However, I do believe that the swiftness and firmness with which the nation as a whole, and the army in particular, reacted to the Peshawar attack is missing when it comes to the lives of these 'other' citizens of Pakistan. 

I realize that a lot of people state that the assault on Army Public School was personal; i.e. the school was attacked specifically because the children belonged to parents/ parent who were a part of the army. Thus, in this regard, their strict and immediate response is to be expected. Which it is. However, once again my only argument is that such a response should be expected when any other citizen is targeted as well. In fact, such an attack should just make the security team more empathetic to what countless other members of society are subjected to everyday and should make them even more responsive when it comes to sectarian violence or violence targeted against the minorities. 

Regardless of ones religion, race, ethnicity, caste or occupation; for the government, all lives should matter equally. And not just in writing or oration, but such equal treatment should be reflected in actions and policies and in their implementation as well.