The federal capital has been put on high alert after multiple incidents of terrorism and following a warning issued by Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad of more terrorism-related attacks. The situation is extremely concerning as on Tuesday, a policeman was shot dead and two others were injured at a checkpoint. The night before, a gun battle took place in which two militants were shot dead, before two gunmen riding a motorcycle opened fire on a police checkpoint in the vicinity of the Karachi Company police station.

The Interior Minister has given an honest assessment of the situation by stating that terror attacks have started taking place in Islamabad and that the authorities need to remain vigilant. He is right in pointing out that these militants are seeking to create unrest in the country as attacks have also been conducted in other parts of the country such as Quetta and North Waziristan.

We need to arrest this trend of frequent attacks as we have sacrificed a lot of lives in this fight against terrorism. Under no circumstances can we afford to let this menace consume us again. In 2021, Pakistan experienced a 56 percent increase in violent, militant attacks from the year prior. At least 388 people died and another 600 were wounded in terrorist attacks.

Reports have revealed that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for seven attacks across the country in the last 72 hours, including the one in Islamabad. According to some sources, the government has recently re-initiated another process of talks with the group, and is seeking the help of tribal elders to persuade the TTP to shun violence. Given how talks have failed on more than one occasion, perhaps we should not extend this courtesy to a group that has caused immeasurable damage to the country.