THE Aug 8 carnage at Quetta’s Sandeman Hospital killed about 59 lawyers, journalists, medical practitioners and many civilians. The militants first killed Bilal Kasi, president of the Balochistan Bar Association, on Aug 8 and then the hospital was damaged in a suicide blast.

After the blast, Justice Qazi Faez Isa asked the Supreme Court to first investigate the matter. This was opposed by the provincial IGP on some grounds. Finally, the Supreme Court authorised the Commission on Oct 17 last. The 45-man commission started investigation on the basis of available evidence with the help of security and secret agencies.

This report covers different aspects of the blast, identifies the suicide bomber, highlights the mismanagement of security agencies and mismanagement of the Sandeman hospital, like carelessness and absence of senior doctors, etc.

This report not only deals with lawyers’ carnage but is also an authentic and rational interpretation of the nature of terrorism in the country.

The most important aspect of this report is the state’s anti-terrorism policy in the form of the National Action Plan, National Internal Security Policy and the national security adviser. The report suggests there has been zero outcome of the state’s anti-terrorism policy.

The commission has advised federal authorities on their functions with regard to terrorist activities by proscribed organisations like Jamaatul Ahrar, Jundullah and Lashkar-i-Jhanghvi, but the central authority’s diplomatic position avoids clear-cut answers and planning.

Even after that carnage, terrorist organisations continue to function in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta. The government should implement the documented plan and root out the organisational structure of such terrorist groups.

M.S.K. Mondokhail

Islamabad

Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2017