Terrorism: A global threat to all regardless of colour, creed or cast
Over the last week we have seen the terrible suicide bombing attacks of Brussels, Belgium with 31 killed, 300 injured and also Gulshan-e-Iqbal Park, Lahore, Pakistan with 72 killed, 280 injured.
Our heartfelt prayers and thoughts go out to the innocent victims, the injured and their families.
Both of these attacks are religiously motivated to kill and harm innocent victims. Over the years the USA, Europe, Middle East and Asia have all suffered from indiscriminate atrocities.
It is clear that the effects of extremism and terror is a global phenomenon. The source is misguided individuals or organisations who wish to create havoc and disorder in society.
Whether the innocent victims are from the West or East, whichever faith they belong too or not, we need to acknowledge and remember all equally.
The problems faced by all countries counteracting terrorism are the same. The West and East both struggle to identify the culprits until it is often too late. Many hundreds and thousands of suspects may exist but surveillance of all is difficult.
People of all faiths, colours and creeds are affected by terrorism, we should highlight and remember all victims equally wherever in the world they are. They are someone’s son or daughter, brother or sister, mother or father.
As recent events have shown we are ‘all in it together’, terrorism is global and has a common language of death and destruction.
Over the years Pakistan has more than its fair share of terror related victims, some estimates are as high as 80 000. We should not become immune to the loss of lives, each life lost matters. We can not accept it as a part of Pakistan.
A life is a life whether it is in New York, Paris, London, Brussels, Lahore or Peshawar. I hope the international media is able to present and report the terror attacks across the entire world in a balanced way.
Prayers for Lahore and prayers for Brussels.