THE threat of extremism appeared on the horizon about a decade and a half ago, plunging Pakistan into a different kind of war. Till then, the armed forces had been concerned with the enemy at the borders, but now they had a new enemy — at home.

Each bombing and suicide attack caused us great pain, because we lost thousands of lives. The tragedy on the 16th day of December, 2014, left the nation in a state of shock. I heard in disbelief that the terrorists had singled out the students of the Army Public School in Peshawar to target the children of our soldiers, the very men fighting against terrorism. TV newsreaders choked on their words as they informed the nation of the horror at Peshawar. Children as young as six were shot, the number of the dead being 144, including the staff.

The tragedy united the people and the military, whose resolve to fight terrorism only grew stronger. With operation Zarb-i-Azb, the army redoubled its efforts. More soldiers were deployed, additional posts were set up and the struggle continued with renewed intensity.

My husband is in the army, so I have endured his absences more times than I can count. His tenure in Kashmir and Waziristan were especially difficult where lack of communication conjured the worst-case scenarios in my mind, enough to keep me up at nights. And when we spoke occasionally, the background whizzing of mortar shelling reminded me how easily things could go wrong. Thus building hatred in the hearts of the public against those who are entrusted with their safety is an act of disservice to the country’s progress and security. Speeches containing animosity towards the armed forces could seep through to the masses spreading distrust and creating discord.

Already, we find ourselves on the crossroads of international pressures, internal threats and foreign elements that are causing cracks in the unity of our people, planting seeds of dissensions and gradually eating into the roots of our solidarity. The enemy will plan and plot, but when our own leadership recklessly gives them a helping hand, that is something beyond comprehension.

Mr Nawaz Sharif has been our prime minister three times and had my support and that of my family. However, I am disappointed at his lack of prudence and saddened to see how time and circumstances have hardened him to an extent that he would sell his own people short.

Whether he talks about the ‘boot’ or the ‘cane’, these subtle insults and silent insinuations are not lost on anyone. These men are not ‘aliens’; they are Pakistanis, fighting for those whom Mr Sharif’s party governs.

Mr Sharif should own them, be proud of them, love them and respect them. Unity in our ranks — civil, political and military — is the only way forward; this is not rocket science, just simple common sense.

An army wife

Islamabad

Published in Dawn, May 24th, 2018