There we go again. Another bomb blast in Peshawar destroyed everything – peace, confidence and hope, yet again.
We all know that the campaign against the Taliban is going to be bloody, and these nihilists are going to do everything in their power to scare, destabilize and intimidate Pakistan, but I am confident that Pakistanis will not, and they cannot be pressured into accepting a barbaric and primitive life style that these thugs are trying to impose on Pakistan.
I just feel extremely sad and depressed about the ordinary citizens being targeted in this battle by the Taliban and the slavish followers of Bin Laden. These civilians have done nothing to deserve to die like this. In fact, the country has done nothing to be bombed by a group convinced to be on God’s mission.
No religion, including Islam preaches hatred, killings and destruction that we have seen in the name of Islam lately. This is exactly the opposite of everything that a Muslim must do, but somehow, a group of thugs have taken up the cause of spreading mayhem and these butchers cite religious reasons for this devastation.
Even more despicable is the support that these people receive in Pakistan and in and around the world. Those who believe that supporting destructive and barbaric Taliban is somehow a fight against the Americans are delusional and bone headed. Americans are not suffering – it is Pakistan and the Pakistanis who are suffering and it has to stop and stop now.
There will be plenty of time to disagree with Washington, but for God’s sake, let’s join hands to root out these hate mongers. These people are a threat to not only to Pakistan, but to the entire world and we have to acknowledge and accept it. These Taliban are killing Muslims and Pakistanis in their quest to harm America. This is wrong, this is awful and this has to come to an end.
Obviously, there is nothing we can do to bring back those who have died tragically, but this is an opportunity, yet again for all of us to protect Pakistan and leave a country that is free of hate, destruction and religious, ethnic or every other type of intimidation for our next generation.
Can we unite to protect our future?
Bilal Qureshi
Washington, DC
