OVER 60,000 Pakistanis have fallen victim to terrorism, yet other than condemnations, protests and announcing the setting up of anti-terrorism agencies there has been no action.

If strict border control procedures are not adopted to regulate the entry and exit of undesirable aliens, stopping the smuggling of weapons and coming down hard on money laundering with zero-tolerance for the booming black economy, Pakistan will continue to face terrorism.

If we are fighting a war against terrorism, our leadership and security agencies should be seen acting in a manner expected of nations at war.

Pakistan cannot fight this war if its ambassadorial staff posted abroad grant visas to undesirable individuals. Such discrepancies will continue if Pakistani officials posted abroad have dual nationalities. Appointment to important public offices of such individuals will have devastating consequences for the country.

As long as crime thrives, criminals go unpunished and corrupt officers escape exemplary punishments, terrorism will continue to haunt Pakistan from within.

Tariq Ali

Lahore

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2016