IT is heartening to learn that the National Assembly Standing Committee on Interior has demanded that the government compile accurate data on terror war victims in Pakistan.

This is something that should have been done a long time ago to assist families and individuals affected by the insidious war in Pakistan that has wreaked havoc on our society.

It is the responsibility of the state to protect the lives of its citizens. Those who have lost life and limb in terror attacks must be eligible for long-term support, both material and psychological. The armed forces cater for the martyred soldiers through a well-organised system. However, civilians have to fend for themselves.

In recent times, we see that wars are fought less on the battlefield and more within the cities, and innocent civilians bear the brunt of these proxy wars. The victims are soon forgotten after a few days of media coverage and left to fend for themselves.

The first step in a holistic plan to rehabilitate and help those affected by terror attacks is to have a proper data base to identify the victims and their families, and what their needs are. A task force to collect this data is the need of the hour.

This must be followed up by a proper, professionally monitored assistance rehabilitation plan. Civil-military collaboration is a must in this connection as the latter has a mechanism already in place.

After all civilians have been bearing the brunt of a war for a long time now for which the policies of both the civil and military leadership are responsible.

Saira Dar

Lahore

Published in Dawn, February 27th, 2017