Race for the Semi-final Berth

The final group match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka was done and dusted with Pakistan coming out triumphant after a topsy-turvy run chase.

Pakistan once again lived up to its reputation of a predictably unpredictable side, when chasing rather a par target of under 250 runs. Cruising at one stage with a first-wicket stand of 74 runs, Sarfraz’s side started losing control over the game and gifted their wickets rather cheaply. Soon the green shirts were reduced to 137/6, needing exactly one-hundred more runs to cross the finish line.

Sri Lanka only have themselves to blame, especially when they induced a mini-collapse in Pakistan’s batting line-up, by letting loose the things and fielding miserably when pressure was on Pakistan; a couple of missed catches and fumbles saw Pakistan build a record match-winning eighth wicket partnership in the history of the ICC Champions Trophy.

The pair of Sarfraz and Mohammad Amir soaked up the pressure steadily and started scoring freely, as they got the better of the Sri Lankan team. Pakistan eventually registered victory over Sri Lanka in the virtual quarter-final to book a berth in the semi-finals to compete against one of the pre-tournament favorites: England.

Though winning it by 3 wickets and 31 balls to spare, Pakistan’s fragile batting line once again exposed, which is an area of concern for the head coach Mickey Arthur ahead of the semi-final match.

The English team is undefeated in the tourney so far and with Pakistan’s flaky batting, the English seam bowlers will fancy making early inroads into the Pakistani batting line-up no matter bowling first or second.

It is high time Pakistan turned as a unit and played their A game to challenge the stronger English pace attack and caused yet another upset, such is the trend in the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2017. 

Racially Biased Policing of Pashtuns in Punjab

In the recent wave of bombings across the country, the whole political and military leadership is off its comfort zone, passing executive orders to avenge the losses in no time is very much reminiscent of the US President Donald Trump.

The reactionary quick fixes to what we call countering terrorism is in no way the panacea to our agonies. Leave alone terrorizing the terrorists and their abettors, this approach of ours will turn those against us, who have always been on our side.

Yes, the racial profiling of the Pashtuns in Punjab to what the security enforcement officials call a measure to drive back terrorists is clearly in error.

It is an open secret that my Pashtun cousins are all over Pakistan for a variety of reasons, including getting education and doing business. And they have always been the nicest and welcoming people even being on the visiting side. Profiling them for our own failures is in no way justifiable and acceptable.

This state of affairs is not only unthinking and reactionary, lacking in clarity and substance, but also is guilty of perpetuating hatred towards a particular race.

Yes, the current phase of blasts has badly terrorized us, but it does not mean that we react and respond to it with a tit-for-tat policy instead of a well thought out plan. Our this tendency of abrupt reaction to something unpleasant and unnatural has brought us more losses and less gains. While the psychopaths are cheering their fresh series of successful blasts, their ecstasy is being doubled, watching the drama, where patriotic and nationalist Pashtuns are being forced out of their cars and dishonored. This is but a massive victory for them.

Imagine if in KP or Balochistan such a racial profiling of any other race took place, what would it be like; how would it feel. Of course it would hurt and hurt badly.

Remember, wars are not won merely on offensive grounds but also on moral grounds, where the whole nation is standing by you; sacrificing for you. Here this is missing, meaning that those at the helms of affairs have to rethink their strategy before it is too late to correct what is erroneous.

It is therefore paramount to change the reactionary strategy, aimed at doing whatsoever is deemed appropriate to torment and punish terrorists and their abettors. A holistic, sensible and sustainable plan needs be adopted if we want to get rid of the terrorism.

The ideal way to do this is to start with the NAP. Again, I have to underline the significance of NAP. It is the only well-conceived plan to conquer terrorism. If political will is there, progress on NAP can be made in no time.

It is time we stopped blaming others and started taking responsibility. Racial profiling of Pashtuns is no help nor a good move. Humiliation of one tribe for the wrong-doings of someone with no identity, race, religion and origin is unwise and needs to be corrected.

Remember, Pashtuns are the primary victims of terrorism from the day first, projecting them as terrorists or their sympathizers, financers and abettors is only deteriorating the situation.

Lal Shahbaz Qalandar Shrine Blast

The survivors, their families, and the entire nation had hardly mourned the deadly Shah Noorani Shrine blast of November 2016 that yet another devastating blast jolted the Lal Shahbaz Qalandar Shrine, taking lives of more than a hundred and wounding thrice the number of deceased pilgrims. 

The recent bloody massacre completely bewildered the nation and raised serious questions as to what led to the savage killings of the innocent people. One would have expected after the blast of Shah Noorani Shrine of better security if not foolproof of religious sanctums but to no avail. 

The security lapses at Lal Shahbaz Qalandar Shrine, if meticulously investigated, are numerous given the nature of the security arrangements. These security slip-ups, without particularizing them, could have been averted had there been proper watch and ward. Unfortunately, a great deal of complacency after a brief phase of vigilance in security measures leads to such ignominious acts of terrorism. 

The onus of blast, therefore, is put on the complacent attitude of those entrusted with the task of maintaining security at all levels. So what is it that can be done to change this complacency to achieve hundred percent alertness and vigilance?

It can be done by devising a multifaceted, long-term security strategy; the one that not only counters terrorists but also eradicates their root-causes. Unless root-causes are targeted and thereby neutralized, such blasts keep repeating themselves, wreaking havoc in the lives of more and more innocent people. 

Temporary solutions to combat terrorism and extremism will lead us nowhere. Permanent strategies, aimed at preventing the menace of terrorism and extremism besides combating it, are the need of the hour. And this can be achieved by strengthening and empowering the police. Usually, it is the police that takes care of who is and who is not. So augmenting police's capacity and making it capable of countering terrorism will ensure a considerable decrease in the instances of bomb blasts and other acts of terrorism. 

Again, any strategy or policy can only achieve its end result if it is implemented in its true spirit and entirety. If it is not implemented fully, it will fail to curb terrorism for good like the National Action Plan (NAP).