Global perspective on Peshawar attack

We have jumped to globalization of conflicts without putting on shock observers. As a result, blood is oozing from our “houses of worship”, to use the words of United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. Guterres was timelier than many Pakistani politicians to condemn the gun-and-bomb attack on a Shia mosque in Qissa Khawani Bazaar of Peshawar on Friday, March 4.

Guterres said, “Houses of worship should be havens, not targets (of terrorism). I condemn today’s horrific attack on a mosque in Peshawar, Pakistan, during Friday prayers. My condolences to those who have lost loved ones, and my solidarity with the people of Pakistan.”

The level of coordination and confidence with which the terrorist mowed down people and made his way through narrow alleys leading to the hall of the mosque speaks volumes about the incompetence of our security apparatus.

Over 60 people, out of which 10 were underage children, have been martyred so far and many more have been hospitalised. Bodies were ripped up beyond recognition when the black clad terrorist blew himself up in the main hall where people were praying. The Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K), which is based in Afghanistan, has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Many analysts are mistakenly mixing up IS-K with Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Hence, a degree of criticism is being directed at the government for the release of over 40 TTP men from confinement after a deal brokered by the Jirga of Mehsood tribe elders.

The TTP, IS-K and Afghan Taliban are indeed killing machines, insensitive to human life and its symbols, but painting them with the same brush in the flood of emotions will not help us to reach a solution to the menace of terrorism.

Pakistan backed Afghan Taliban after they brought down the Asharaf Ghani government, although in the United Nations, the Ghani faction is still recognized as the representative of Afghanistan.

After grabbing power, the Afghan Taliban ruthlessly suppressed all their opponents, including the IS-K members. IS-K is basically a group of extremist Salafis who do not refrain from attacking anybody, including the moderate Salafis. Though Shias are a common target for Afghan Taliban, TTP and IS-K, moderate Salafis also feel threatened by them, especially in Afghanistan, after the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) wrapped up its jihad project in this region.

Licking its wounds in Afghanistan, IS-K has been on the prowl to hit back at Afghan Taliban. Salahuddin Salarzi, a tribal social media activist, thinks that IS-K and TTP do not have many differences as both of these groups subscribe to the extremist Salafi narrative. Hence, by bracketing Pakistan with Afghan Taliban, IS-K is attempting to take the battle to the streets of Pakistan.

Two days after the Peshawar mosque attack, the KP Police issued a statement warning Pakistanis of possible terrorist attacks in major cities including Rawalpindi on March 23. They said that 20 terrorists, including suicide attackers, have been dispatched to Pakistan from the Kuner province of Afghanistan. Thus, the international connection of this terrorist attack is evident. Attacks are also being carried out against security forces both in Balochistan and KP.

Taking a closer look at this attack through a global lens perspective, a UN Security Council (UNSC) statement on the mosque attack also followed the KP Police warning as the UNSC pressed on all countries to help Pakistan stop such terrorist activities.

Interestingly, Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, representative of the United Arab Emirate that has the presidency of the council for this month, released a statement. In addition to condemning the “cowardly” attack, the UNSC said, “The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators, organisers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Government of Pakistan and all other relevant authorities in this regard.”

Similarly, Chinese President Xi Jingping sent a condolence message to his Pakistani counterpart. The President expressed his support to Pakistan in its activities to fight off terrorism.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang sent a similar message to his Pakistani counterpart while the European Union, Germany, UN, United Kingdom, Denmark etc. have also extended help in their condolence messages for Pakistan to fight off terrorism.

Pakistan was supposed to secure its cities and vulnerable communities, especially Shia, before launching a diplomatic crusade in favour of Afghan Taliban. All modern world powers have discarded Afghan Taliban after evaluating their utility. They are not able to keep their conflicts confined to their borders. But Pakistan has been carrying their dead weight. In such a situation, it should be obvious that nothing is more valuable than the lives of Pakistanis.

It is about time our government puts on some shock observers and takes up its responsibility to protect its citizens’ right to live.

The writer teaches mediatization at International Islamic University Islamabad