LAHORE, July 7: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has called upon the authorities to take immediate steps to tackle violence in a manner that can achieve long-term peace.

In a statement issued here on Monday, the HRCP said while authorities had made much of the arrest of several suspects thought to be involved in the terrorist attack that killed at least 47 people at a Quetta mosque on Friday, it was obvious that such limited measures would not solve the broader issue of increasing militancy.

“The HRCP has said in the past and would like to reiterate once more that such horrible incidents, which have already devastated hundreds of families, are a symptom of a deeper malaise. The drift of the state towards greater totalitarianism can only aggravate the militant tendencies that lead to such killings and the social intolerance that underpins the violence unleashed on innocent people,” the statement said.

The statement further stated: “The unfinished business in Afghanistan and Pakistan’s strained ties with its neighbours add to the risks faced. It is clear that such dangers can be reduced only by devising holistic policies that address the root causes of violent tendencies in society. These must include a review of the state’s theocratic orientation, creation of greater employment opportunities for citizens, the eradication of illiteracy and the setting in place of a system that can ensure greater social justice.”

The statement said the HRCP feared that until steps were taken towards these basic issues, rather than treating militancy as a mere matter of law and order to be dealt with like a riot or some other similar incident, more attacks would continue to take place. “It is, therefore, demanded that the authorities take immediate steps to tackle violence in a manner that can achieve long-term peace. A failure to do so will lead only to more lives being lost in the months and years ahead and more citizens left facing a threat that has already seriously caused immense human loss.”