Did Pakistan learn a lesson from the Peshawar incident? Once again the Pakistani nation has become united in this national catastrophe.

National unity is to whole-heartedly back our esteemed army and keep their morale high. Citizens holding rallies and shouting sentimental slogans of support are good gestures, but is this going to bring a real change in the state of our nation?

It is time the nation analyses the situation and sets up short-term and long-term goals. Our government, judiciary and policy makers must take concrete steps in this respect.

Our army has always been in the forefront at the time of any crises in Pakistan whether it is a national calamity or international dispute but we cannot make the army responsible for everything. All our ministries are equally responsible and they must demonstrate their performance to the public.

The government is always the civil servant and supposed to serve the public but unfortunately in Pakistan, it is the other way around. When someone is elected, he considers the public to be his servant. This attitude must change.

In my humble opinion, nothing major is expected unless we learn lessons from this incident and bring changes in our internal and external policies and implement them indiscriminately. Otherwise everyone will forget this calamity and God forbid Pakistan will be hit by another bigger disaster for another wake-up call.

Saeed A. Khan

Edmonton, Canada

Published in Dawn December 20th , 2014