Shahid Afridi’s huge sixes against India in the final over in Asia Cup not only added 12 runs to Pakistan’s score card but also brought victory to Pakistan. The entire Pakistani nation erupted in joy. Unfortunately, this joy was short-lived, as terror struck Pakistan’s capital city Islamabad. According to reports, 11 people including a judge were killed in an attack on a court.

Our heart goes out for those who lost their loved ones in the dastardly attack claimed by an offshoot of Tehreek-e-Taleban Pakistan (TTP).

According to media report, there are 39 militant outfits — outnumbering the political parties — operating in Pakistan. The Pakistani expatriate community is in a quandary over the current situation. They are unable to decide whether to celebrate its team’s victory in Mirpur, Dhaka, or to mourn the tragedy in Islamabad. Officials soon after an attack always vow to track down the perpetrators but such statements always die down even before the ink dries in the print.

This tragedy befell within hours after the TTP announced a month’s cease-fire and which the government had wholeheartedly accepted. I believe that talks with such terrorist groups have never yielded results anywhere in the world. They should be treated by only one medicine they are very much aware of and are familiar with.

S.H. Moulana

Riyadh