Terrorists have intensified their nefarious activities both in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan where innocent people are killed mercilessly. Four women aid workers were gunned down in the Mirali area of North Waziristan. A police official informed that the aid workers were affiliated with a programme run by a local institute to develop household skills for women.
This is not the first-ever incident of its kind because several other incidents have taken place wherein terrorists have attacked NGOs workers, teachers and social workers. The tribal areas along the Afghan border remain notorious for the availability of cheap guns and narcotics. Attacks have decreased in recent years following a series of military offensives against homegrown and foreign militants.
In 2014, the army launched a massive operation to wipe out militant bases in North Waziristan. But militant groups are still able to carry out sporadic, isolated assaults. A recent surge in attacks targeting security forces along the Afghan border has sparked fears that these groups may be regrouping.
As a developing country, Pakistan is unable to pay attention to all the problems of society at the same time. In such cases, NGOs and various organizations highlight social issues and are also engaged in a concerted effort to solve these problems. However, the risks to social workers in Pakistan are increasing.
There are innumerable names including Sabin Mehmood, Parveen Rehman, Shahina Baloch and Farishta Kohistani who were shot dead while serving humanity. Meanwhile, Pakistan is making efforts to get out of the FATF gray list and in such a situation, such incidents in the country are tantamount to harming the country.
Pakistan has rendered countless sacrifices in War against Terrorism and has always taken indiscriminate action against any form of extremism. But despite all efforts, attacks on security forces and killings of social workers is a tragedy for the country.
It is not the responsibility of police and security forces alone to fight the terrorists. It is also the duty of all the citizens to play their role effectively and help eradicate these elements. The government agencies should start work on collecting information about people living in particular localities so that they can easily take action in case of any eventuality.
