In The Aftermath Of Lahore Shootout
I couldn’t muster the strength to express my feelings yesterday following the Lahore attacks. I felt absolutely terrible after looking at the images of the bodies of poor policemen who sacrificed their lives to save the Sri Lankan cricketers. I was disappointed, angered and terrified. I still am. These policemen and the driver deserve to be saluted for showing the derring-do at a time of chaos and terror.
Now that almost 2 days have passed since the incident the people of Pakistan deserve to know who are responsible for killing the sport of cricket in Pakistan. Immediately after absorbing the news I expected the two mainstream political parties to try and win points over this incident. The Lanka-Pak match was called off, but another new match had already started. I will talk about the political side later but first I’d like to commend the Sri Lankan team for their cool response to such an enormous attack of terror. They remained calm with Sangakkara going to the extent of saying he had no regrets coming to Pakistan. While the Sri Lankan players demonstrated a magnanimous response, some other cricketing captains who were not even involved in the incident chipped in with disappointing comments. No surprises as the FM of the neighbouring country came out in the media, and instead of expressing grief, used the opportunity to blast Pakistan. Again, I don’t blame him, but it was disappointing.
There were some hints of foreign hand expressed in non-official statements. But what exactly is the official statement? Assume, for a minute, it was India who was behind the attacks, or any other country/organization for that matter. Where was the law-enforcing agency? What is the job of Interior Ministry? Wasn’t the SL team promised presidential-level security? Does the president travel like this? Obviously, if there is an impending attack, it is our country’s job to stop it. If the relevant department fails, it should accept the responsibility? And how many times will this department fail? In September, the same department failed to prevent Marriott attacks, and no one was tried or brought to justice. I did plead for the resignation of Interior Minister at that time, and I do so again. Isn’t it time to accept the responsibility now and step aside? If not now, then when?
The politics that have started in the aftermath of this event is sickening. With PML-N singling out Salman Taseer as the only one responsible for the attack, their claims are mostly erratic and out of place. While Salman Taseer IS one of the responsible ones and should be leaving along with Rehman Malik, there are obviously more heads that should roll. The talk shows in the night were full of nonsensical talks, focusing more on blaming each other.
For God’s sake, please tell us what happened in Lahore. If indeed it was India, and you failed to stop them, then at least be active in pursuing the criminals. If it were the Taliban, then go after them! I don’t understand what the government means when they say the purpose of this attack was destroying Pak-Lanka relations and that this was an act of international terror.
Another important point that shouldn’t be overlooked is that how on earth did 12 men manage to escape with none of them getting captured? Was the security that inadequate? If so, who was in charge? From what I’m looking at, this issue will be forgotten very soon as the Long March draws near. Once again, we, the people, will be kept in dark while the hopeless democrats continue to struggle for the ultimate chair. In this struggle of politicians much has been lost. This time its cricket which has been laid to rest.
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i agree with every single word you wrote.every single word.
Say goodbye to cricket in Pakistan, or may be to Pakistani cricket!
Loved it, loved it, loved it!
@ Talha
keep your fingers crossed. South Africa was banned for a really loooong time. remember?
@ Anas
the TV channels are already concentrating on other issues…like the PML N forward block
Actually, I do want Pakistan to get banned. Banning South Africa taught them a lesson. When I heard about this incident, the first thought that came to mind was: “We don’t deserve a free country”. Pakistanis are a disgrace to Pakistan atm.
Its flabbergasting tbh! Who will trust us again when we’ll tell them that their safety is “guaranteed”? Words like presidential-style security it seems were all gimmicks. It’s a freaking disgrace man … I haven’t felt this low for a long time. I don’t know how much worse can it get.
@ Talha
same here. i want the team to be banned for a while too. forget the attacks…they havent been performing at all. the ban might team em a lesson
Well i don’t agree that banning the team would do anything other than that current team will also become part of ICL. On other hand if they are forced to play with incentives on performing that might help the team to raise the standard.
Now for attacks…i am generous enough to forgive the government on the issue that they failed to stop an event from occurring. What i am unable to forgive is the fact that all 12 men were on foot, in open and even then they succeeded in getting away unharmed. I cannot absorb this…
Poor fellows who lost there life…I think they must had not even got the chance to defend themselves.
I do salute all the people responsible for taking lankan team to safety, preventing hijacking of the bus. That was perhaps the only good thing that happened in that event.