A DAY after one of the saddest and bloodiest days in the nation’s history, as the people of Peshawar buried their dead, the rest of the country mourned. Some grieved in private, others in public; yet more struggled with their emotions, a heady mix of outrage and protest.

On the streets, candles were lit and tributes were paid. Solemn silences were observed by massive crowds; all unwavering in their resolve to eliminate the scourge of terrorism from the country’s soil.

Inside the walls of Army Public School in Peshawar, blood stains and bullet holes bore witness to a day that will live in infamy. Law enforcement and military officials shared the fruits of their labours with journalists and political leaders, helping catalyse a joint response.

With the eyes of the nation glued to TV sets, Pakistan looked on as Imran Khan joined Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the country’s elected leadership: brought together by testing times. The multi-party conference summoned in the wake of the Peshawar tragedy achieved what dozens of previous sittings could not: unanimous agreement. This consensus was epitomised by the PM’s announcement ending the moratorium that had held up death sentences for convicted terrorists. The same consensus prompted Mr Khan to declare an end to his party’s marathon sit-in outside parliament.

For the first time in a long time, things seem to be moving.

Published in Dawn, December 18th, 2014