WHILE seconding widespread concern over recent killings in Quetta, I believe time has come to point out the culprits. It is not only the terrorists who are killing innocent people in the name of religion and sect, but in my opinion main culprits are our ruling elites whose actions and inactions are resulting in this mayhem to continue.

It is the role of intelligence and law-enforcement agencies to locate and destroy the network of terrorists as, according to the Balochistan governor, these elite forces are either clueless or scared of going after the terrorists.

It is an open secret that in the past several sectarian outfits had been enjoying close links with agencies for a broader role and, therefore, they are now out of anybody’s control.

Several provincial governments have been reluctant to take action against sectarian outfits to keep their vote bank intact. Parliament and the central government have miserably failed to enact new laws to deal with ever-growing terrorism.

They are aware that the judiciary has been using obsolete evidence laws based on eyewitnesses to release terrorists.

But parliament has not been able to amend the evidence laws of the British colonial period. The judiciary’s role is also not very promising. On the one hand, it is very energetic to proceed with memo case to embarrass the government wherein a memo written by an American national addressed to an American general was used as evidence against ex-ambassador Hussain Haqqani and, on the other hand, the judiciary while dealing with terrorism cases insists on hard evidence based on eyewitnesses.

In this age of technology no one should expect eyewitnesses in every case, rather one should go for circumstantial evidences.

In short, it is a failure of all the organs of the state – the government, parliament, and the judiciary, as well as of security forces. Wherever possible, the media never stops giving an opportunity to terrorists to use its platform for propaganda purposes. All the state organs lack seriousness and sincerity to rid the country of terrorism.

Then what is the solution? Should we expect someone else to help Pakistanis or is it time for the minorities to leave?

M. A. KHAN Jubail

Gravity of situation GENOCIDE of the innocent Hazara community has drawn the attention of the UN and other human rights organisations across the world. In the recent attack over 80 people were killed and about 200 injured.

The Hazara community had refused to bury their beloved ones unless targeted operation was not launched against the terrorists, and Quetta was not handed over to the army.

It is a matter of grave concern that this is the second attack within two months in which the entire community has once again suffered a lot. Is there any government in Balochistan?

Where were the law-enforcement agencies? Why do terrorists always go unpunished?

What is the role and performance of intelligence agencies? What is the benefit of imposing the governor’s rule in the province when such tragic incidents are happening again and again?

The people do not see the government’s writ throughout the country. I honestly believe that it is not so difficult for the government to combat terrorism and lawlessness but there should be a political will.

The law-enforcement authorities should be given a free hand to eliminate terrorists and eradicate their hideouts. There should be no political interference in their work.

Appointments, transfers, postings and deployments in the police and other law enforcement agencies should be made purely on merit and performance and not on political consideration and recommendations.

Professional, competent and well-reputed officers of these forces should be given an opportunity to play their role.

If concrete steps are not taken by the federal government, then we do not expect any betterment in the worsening situation and tall claims and speeches will not serve any purpose.

TARIQ MAJEED Hyderabad