Taliban Claim Responsibility for Pakistan Blasts
Pakistan is going through one of the most difficult times in its history. Not only is the political situation too tumultuous, but economical uncertainly, terrorism, lack of electricity, fast diminishing water resources, and exploding population are factors threatening Pakistan's very core. We have seen back to back suicide bombings two days in a row in two different parts of the country. The central coalition running the country can't agree on anything. The lawyers, teachers, traders, and other segments of the society are protesting for varying reasons. There is one crisis after another in the country, and nothing is getting better. Yes, Musharraf's departure is good, theoretically, but in real terms, nothing has, and nothing is going to change any time soon.
At this point, no one knows how to handle the multitude of unbelievably tough challenges in the country. Despite their differences, the mostly secular and liberal parties, Awami National Party, (ANP), Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) are in sync on all major issue, including, and especially about confronting the ever expanding religious militancy in Pakistan, but, regretfully, a major player in the coalition, Pakistan Muslim League, Nawaz Faction (PML N) is not onboard. PML (N) has significant numbers of seats in the National Assembly, and they are using their strength to bully the government. This is not good for the country and once again, we will go back decades (army's involvement destroys everything) after taking two steps (two steps , elections and Musharraf's peaceful departure) forward if the present set-up is folded.
The bickering between PML (N) and rest of the coalition in Islamabad is also stopping the government from focusing on other critical issue, terrorism. Taliban have killed 60 people in a devastating attack in Pakistan. Yet, PML (N) is focusing entirely on the issue of restoring the judges who became judges under a dictator who later dismissed them. Nawaz Sharif is playing a terribly dangerous game and it could hurt the country, if he won't stop his childish stubbornness, and help the government eradicate the Taliban.
For Pakistan to come out of these problems, and to come on top of these challenges, everyone will have to put their weight behind those who are leading the fight. First, the population has to support the secular political parties who can stop the bearded nuts from making every disagreement a question of life and death based on religion. This mind set has to be defeated. Second, the country has to agree that everyone has to sacrifice in order to get through these crippling problems. Half hearted attempts will never yield anything.
The current setup in Islamabad is Pakistan's last chance to get a grip on its future. If the government failed, and it is most likely going to fail given the magnitude of problems, Nawaz Sharif, the most undemocratic leader in Pakistan's history will be responsible to a large extent for this failure. He has done nothing to prove that he has matured or learned from his mistakes, and his unacceptable behavior, especially when the progressive forces are losing ground to Taliban every day, is at the very least, regrettable.
Bilal Qureshi
Washington, DC
