THE fresh string of terrorist attacks on political gatherings and corner meetings do not augur well for the coming general elections.

Within the space of three days, the militant outfits wrecked havoc and took a heavy toll on the lives of the people. The ANP leader Haroon Bilour, along with 21 others, lost his life in Peshawar during a corner meeting.

The convoy of Akarm Khan Durrani from JUI-F also came under terrorist attack in which he himself remained unhurt but four people perished.

But the mass massacre in Mastung in which at least 150 people were martyred proved deadliest than the Army Public School carnage. In this gut-wrenching suicide blast Siraj Raisani from Balochistan Awami Party also embraced martyrdom who was busy in his election campaign.

The sudden upsurge in insurgency calls for an immediate, quick and decisive response on the part of our security forces. An all-out effort will be required to tackle the anti-Pakistan activities of the terrorist groups. The operations and plans which were undertaken to curb militancy in all its forms and colours will have to be enforced in letter and in spirit.

Moreover, the Election Commission of Pakistan needs to ensure foolproof security to politicians who are on the hit list of the terrorist organisations.

There is no denying that hostile forces are at work to sabotage the democratic process in the country. To foil their inimical and nefarious designs all stakeholder should take pre-emptive measures.

Muhammad Fayyaz

Mianwali

Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2018