At present, the gravest problem that Pakistan is facing is terrorism. It has become a headache for federation and a nightmare for public, though, it is a global issue but Pakistan has to bear the brunt of it. The country’s involvement in the War on Terror has further fuelled the fire. We are facing war like situation against the terrorists. A handful of people who have their vicious interests to fulfill have not only taken countless innocent lives but also distorted the real image of Islam before the world through their heinous acts. Due to these attacks, Pakistan is suffering from ineffaceable loss ranging from civilian to economic. People have become numerical figures, blown up in numbers every now and then. Terrorists have not spared any place. Bazars, mosques, educational institutes, offices, hotels, no place is safe anymore.

Pakistan cannot get rid of this menace of terrorism it cannot unless and until it determines that what the factors behind it are. Injustice is one of the foremost factors that breed terrorism. When the grievances of the people are not redressed they resort to violent actions. So this is the case with Pakistan where timely justice has always been a far cry. Hence, the delayed justice is working as incentive for victims and dragging them to the swamp of terrorist organizations.

Illiteracy is the root causes of extremism and terrorism. More than one in five men aged 15 to 24 unable to read or write, and only one in 20 is in tertiary education. Such a high illiteracy rate has made Pakistan vulnerable to terrorism.

Regarding poverty, people are living below poverty line. While especially for the youngsters, unemployment has made the matter worse. In these adverse circumstances, some people go to the level of extremism and even commit suicide. These are the people whose services are hired by the terrorist groups and they become easy prey to terrorism.

Food insecurity is also linked with militancy and violence, When people remain unable to afford food and cannot meet their basic needs civil strife grows.

Pakistan has done its level best to rid terrorism and terrorists from its soil. In first step, many terrorist organizations were banned by the Musharraf government. After those successful military operations namely Rah-e-Nijat and Rah-e-Rast have been conducted. Pakistan army has fought bravely against terrorist and has destroyed their safe dens.

SAMERA KOUSAR,

Lahore, May 21.