THE Peshawar massacre has deeply pained the Pakistani nation.

I teach in a public sector university of Balochistan whose students and faculty hail from all over Pakistan. Being a sociologist I was curious to know how our university community would respond to this tragedy. I visited all departments, faculties, offices and canteens to hear what the people had to say.

The first point I noted was people were very conscious about the security threat to our university. They were concerned about their own security and then of the country overall. The general feeling was if the leaders had the courage to lead, the people will be close behind and follow willingly.

Pakistan today is different from the one that woke up on Dec 16, 2014, a day that will live in infamy. In 1947, a nation needed a country, now a country needs a nation. Let us stand united and serve.

Such tragic incidents can shatter many a country but Pakistanis are made of far sterner stuff and this they have amply demonstrated on many an occasion. The political leadership should know the nation is united and national spirit is high. Our leaders should now take those tough decisions that are in the best interest of the nation.

Dr. Mumtaz Ali Khaskheli

Quetta

Published in Dawn December 20th , 2014