The Way I See It
Charsadda blast: How many more will die?

Charsadda blast: How many more will die?

How many lives are to be laid to rest for the supposed greater good? Sleep well Obama.

Sahar Aman May 14, 2011

The events that have taken place in Charsadda are the first of what will be many horrific testimonies to that night in Abbottabad. The people of Charsadda and Pakistan have many sleepless nights ahead of them while Barack Obama can rest easy knowing he has taken out America’s poster boy for terrorism.

I remember the moment Barack Obama became the President of the United States of America. I was working at Geo at the time on the US Election transmission, and like countless other Pakistani people, I dared to hope and believe things could change.

After the bomb explosion in Charsadda, which the Pakistani Taliban claims is just the beginning, I beg Obama to clarify his position on what justice has been delivered. How many lives are to be laid to rest for the supposed greater good?

The world has rejoiced – the world is still rejoicing and Pakistan is going to be digging graves for what happened in our country. My words cannot do justice to the families of the people who will die today or yesterday or the day before or the families whose children will die tomorrow all in the name of retribution and America’s global peace mission.

What peace?

I mean it is almost laughable really isn’t it? Only it is not funny – it is heart breaking and to think what might happen now in the aftermath of Osama Bin Laden’s death is now very scary and very real. There have already been over 270 bomb explosions in 2011 in Pakistan.

We are not even half way through the year and if the Pakistani Taliban say this is the first of many, then I dread to think what is going to happen to that number as Pakistan pays the price for being America’s buddy in the war on terrorism.

Yes what will happen now is the billion-dollar question.

Ask the parents who are going to bury their sons in Charsadda what it really means – because the rest of us do not have a clue. Not a clue at all about what to do.

The people of Charsadda do not care that we don’t know what to do – they have much to do. Since that night in Abbottabad this has been the biggest attack and those bodies we see in the pictures are not just bodies but their loved ones. We insult the memory of their loved ones by referring to their deaths as the price Pakistan is paying for America’s actions.

Let them lay their loved ones to rest in peace, away from the hum of drones and empty words.

My words are not worthy but I pay my respect to the cadets who have died and give my condolences to their loved ones. The question on everyone’s lips in Charsadda tonight is this:

How many lives are to be lost before retribution for 9/11 will be delivered to the US government?

Sleep well Obama – you have your justice while the citizens of Pakistan now learn the true audacity of hope.

WRITTEN BY:
Sahar Aman The author is the editor-in-chief of an online travel magazine, Days to Come. She tweets as @sahar_aman (twitter.com/sahar_aman). Follow her on Instagram: sahar_aman (www.instagram.com/sahar_aman/)

The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (17)

Anoop | 12 years ago | Reply It is not because of US raid into Pakistan that innocent 80 something lives were lost but due to the fact that Osama was find living few kilometers from a major Military academy. If you were Osama Bin Laden and considered Pakistani Army as hunting you down, would you go and live in a cantonment area, barely few meters away from that Army's training academy, where there would be thousands of eyes and cameras and what not looking to safeguard that complex in that area? No right? So, the natural thing would be to assume that Pakistani generals were indeed protecting him in Abbotabad. So, ask again the question: Who was responsible for those 80 something dead? US was just doing what was in its interest and it killed a man who had killed their citizens(more than 3000 of them). So you cant blame them. So, who is left? Pakistani Army. Please start looking inwards, for once. Just look inward just this time. If you dont like it you can put your head deep inside the sand once again.

Anwar | 12 years ago | Reply Pakistani's killing Pakistani's.....and it is America's fault. I think the Japan tsunami was also America's fault. Wake up lady! Unless Pakistan takes responsibilities for its action, it will continue to suffer in the hands of the terrorists

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KHAWAJA UMER FAROOQ | 12 years ago | Reply After 1.3 trillion dollars expenditures, killing of thousands of people in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan and near a decade search US finally got its target in Abbotabad Pakistan. After killing of Bin Laden popularity of US president increased dramatically in United States. US president personally monitored abbotabad operation with his senior advisers including secretary of state Hillary Clinton . After successful operation Obama said that now after death of Bin Laden world is more safe place than before. Despite claim of US president ground realties are very different. US authorities made same claims after death of Saddam Hussein in Iraq and death of Baitullah Mehsood in Pakistan but condition are still going bad to worst in these countries and instead of peace and economic stability deaths, destructions and worst economic conditions have become routine in these countries. Now true reality is that Abbotabad operation and killing of Bin Laden can boost falling graph of US President Obama after worst economic conditions, unemployment in USA and huge war expenditures in US occupied countries but can’t change ground realties in present world specially in US occupied countries. US illegal operations on Pakistani soil and announcement of sea burial of Bin Laden add further fuel on anger of the Muslim world. Al Azhar Egypt openly criticized US decision as inhuman. Sentiments’ are already high in Muslim world after killing of Kaddafi son in Libya by NATO bombing. Several western embassies and UNO office already attacked. After death of Bin Laden war of words are going on between US and Pakistani authorities. Recently US accused Pakistani ISI of secret contacts with Haqqani net work. Now most of Pakistani rightly believe that death of Bin Laden near capital Islamabad is big conspiracy against their country some sources are trying hard to wide their war agenda from Afghanistan to Pakistan and recent Abbatabad operation can provide them wrong justification to pursue their war agenda against Pakistan.According to media news a bill introduced in the US House of Representatives clearly said that no US assistance can be provided to Pakistan unless the Obama administration certifies that Pakistan did not have any information about Osama bin Laden’s whereabouts. Recent behavior of US authorities and media is enough to open eyes of authorities in Pakistan. Recently US president went to Ground Zero and paid tribute to family of those who killed in nine eleven tragedy but he could not say single word about sacrifices of Five thousands Pakistani security personnel’s who lost their lives after Pakistan participation in US led war on terror. Ten thousands more innocent Pakistani civilians also lost their lives in Us drone attacks and in revenge suicide attacks their blood is not diffract from those who lost their lives in nine eleven tragedy. Instead of appreciate and recognize Pakistani efforts US and British media is discussing role of Pakistani security forces and their capability to trace out terror net works. True realty is that only days ago more advance and equipped with modern technology US intelligence could not provide any initial prediction of Egyptian uprising, angry Obama personally asked to investigate this failure. Only days ago five hundred Taliban top ranking prisoners escaped through several mile long tunnel from high security Kandahar Prison but Us intelligence had failed to provide any prior information. It is also a true realty that CIA is working last ten years in Pakistani soil to hunt down Bin Laden. US has also developed its own intelligence net work in Pakistan with world most advance technology and surveillance planes why they could not trace Bin Laden from last ten years? Now it’s a real time for Pakistan high authorities to rethink its strategy and look for other options. Chief of Army Staff has rightly said that more raids like the one in Abbot bad would not be tolerated. Recent worst terrorist attack and killing of large number of security personnel’s on the high protected Frontier Constabulary’s headquarters near Shabqadar clearly show that despite Abbotabad operation and US claim of success things are going far from ideal. According to media news At least 80 paramilitary recruits and several civilians were killed and about 200 others injured in a twin suicide attack. It was the highest number of law-enforcement personnel killed in a terrorist attack in the country . Same day US drone strikes killed further sixteen people in NWFP. Security analyst warned that after Abbotbad operation new wave of suicide attacks can further shake the country. Unfortunately despite last ten years sacrifices, killing of large numbers of innocent people and security personnel’s distrust is widening between Pakistan and its close ally United states. Instead of recognizing Pakistan sacrifices US media and high ranking officials are continuously targeting Pakistan security agencies and also civil government. A bill also introduced in the US House of Representatives clearly said that no US assistance can be provided to Pakistan unless the Obama administration certifies that Pakistan did not have any information about Osama bin Laden’s whereabouts. In his recent interview to Times Magazine Prime Minister Gilana warned that sentiment are going high against United Sates and his government blind help, Abbotabad operation like incidents and US Drone attacks can be main cause of collapse his government in future. After increasing US unilateralism and its mistrust of Pakistan military’s role in the fight against terrorism Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen Shamim Wynne has also cancelled his visit to Washington. KHAWAJA UMER FAROOQ Address : Po Box 7684 Jeddah 21472 ID : 2180250637 Contact : 6205202 Email : ofarooq@emailsrvc.com

Hassan | 12 years ago | Reply Sahar, nice try but as you can see it falls on deaf ears and irrational minds. To clear the picture for some of the people above, the US has waged war for nearly a decade in Afghanistan - at a cost of nearly half a trillion dollars - against a foe with no army, no navy and no airforce. All of this was done to kill one man....the lunacy of it all is sickening. For most of the people who blame Pakistan and our establishment seem to have a memory which goes back only 6-7 years at max, we do not want to remember how the US armed and equipped the Afghans to fight the godless communists, how the Saudi's pumped their oil dollars into Pakistan to give rise to Wahabbi Islam, we forget how successive civilian goverments ( approved by the US afcourse) have denied people economic and social justice. Pakistan has played its part in bringing the situation to the level but to absolve the US of their crimes against humanity is denying the truth. We were coerced into this war and are now facing the wrath of what America and Pakistan have brewed for over 25 years, we cannot and will not win this war till the time we cut the fuel which flames this conflict. America has to withdraw from Afghanistan, the Pakistani goverment must provide people with social and economic justice, education needs to be priority number one if extremist elements need to be defeated. Violence will generate more violence and this war might continue well continue into the next generation assuming Pakistan will survive that long.

Moz | 12 years ago | Reply I remember how people across the muslim world celebrated when the planes hit the two towers. Coincidentally, the very next day happen to be Friday. In the khutba during before friday prayers, the mullana couldn't hold his happy emotions and distributed sweets after prayers. When America was in grief, the muslims celebrated. Now that there is blood in the streets and bazaars of Pakistan, why is nobody celebrating? People who use to threaten of not praying "Janaaza" of someone who disagreed with them, now can't decide whose "Janaaza" to pray or whose to refuse. I want to know who is celebrating now.

Mohiuddin | 12 years ago | Reply The story of Talibanisation in Pakistan is not that simple to understand in Pakistan.We cant mere rely on saying Talibans are bombing us because we are buddy with America in war on terror rather we have to think little further than this in dimension that is there any possibility of a third party poking in unnoticed??..I think that is not out of question.The situation has become now so aggravated and confused that the third hand must have found the most opportune time to hit the iron when it is hot these days.I am sure Pakistani ISI must have a close eye on this aspect too.

Miriam | 12 years ago | Reply Respect

Ameer Khan | 12 years ago | Reply As long as ISI and Pak Army play double roles, these incidents continue to happen. Osama was hidden by these agencies only to get more dollars from US in his name. Whether Osama is killed or not, Taliban and Al-Qaeda continue to kill Pakistanis as their main aim is to take Pakistan to the dark days of history. Nobody nor any politician talks when ninety young people killed by these religious mad dogs, but they shout too much for killing one Arab hiding in Pakistan.

MilesToGo | 12 years ago | Reply By that logic, you don't need police or army because every time your police or army fights taliban and terrorist, they will come back for revenge. Just let Taliban/Al-queda rule Pakistan, problem will be solved. Al-queda doesn't seem to like Pakistan being an ally in war on terror.

parvez | 12 years ago | Reply There seems to be misplaced emotions in your write up. If one thinks logically and dispassionately you will come to the conclusion that the dire predicament we find ourselves in today is because of our own weakness, our own incompetence and we have only ourselves to blame. The sooner we realise this the better off we shall be.

Raj | 12 years ago | Reply I read some previous articles by the Author and I came across a comment by Faiza which I could not resist to cut and Paste..: FAIZA: "osama ‘if’ dead will always live in our hearts! He was a mujahid and we are proud of him. May Allah forgive his sins and bless him in jannah! Ameen…" MY RESONSE TO HER: ” Charsadda killings had not happened when you wrote these comments. I wonder nobody of your family members were among 89 killed by the followers of your hero OBL.

Saad H | 12 years ago | Reply i think the American president did and said what he thought was best for his country and to be honest he doesnt really give a damn about the lives being lost in Pakistan, in my opinion anyway. If only the Pakistani leaders did the same and tried harder to protect Pakistani citizens instead of trying to please the Americans.

Raj | 12 years ago | Reply This article has no logic. Pakistan harboured Osama and black mailed both USA and Al Queda. Both the parties are pissed at Pakistan. USA is doing right as President Obama or any other US President want to protect the American interests first. @ the author, at one point of time you were working for GEO and now for ET. You know what is in your best interest and President Obama knows better than anyone else the best interests of his country.

ali | 12 years ago | Reply so you are saying osama bin laden should not have been killed? how about the pakistani establishment didn't keep him in pakistan so that even if the US got him, the pakistani people would not have to pay the price for it? he was enemy # 1 for USA and they got him. the murderous thugs who killed innocents in Chrasadda are OUR enemy # 1 and we should also kill them and deny all sanctuary to them and their allies. whether it is SWA or NWA. I would like everyone reading this to pray to Allah for the destruction of these monsters, and their supporters within the establishment and government. I am not an american apologist. I am for their earliest withdrawal from Afghanistan. As a Pakistani, I cannot influence their drone policy, but I can influence the policy of pakistani establishment who harbor terrorists who kill and maim both in Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Huma Iqbal | 12 years ago | Reply Spot on, Sahar. This is what I meant when I wrote that Justice for us Pakistanis has indeed just begun. Sad but true.

Fahad Raza | 12 years ago | Reply Sad events happened yesterday and its only Pakistanis who are suffering. Whats grotesque is everyone is either reporting the decline or commenting but not doing any thing constructive, like telling way out. Except kill Taliban or militants. What's with telling the Americans it all their fault coming in and conducting an assassination operation when they could have tried to take him alive.

TightDhoti | 12 years ago | Reply The American president is doing what is best for his constituency, the American people. If suicide attacks take place in Pakistan, and our security apparatus fails to protect its citizens is it Ameica's fault? Are we so fragile a nation that we cannot defend our nation from the fallout of events beyond our borders. Nations that have links with Pakistan, will pursue policies which will either have positive or negative impacts on our country. Are we impotent in the face of the blow back? American actions may aggrevate grievances, but the fact that there is neither the social, political or military will to take on the TTP and its allied organizations across the Pakistan is our fault. America may intensify the causes, but why are we not able to shut down suicide training camps, recapture areas lost to militant influence, cut down funding etc. Blaming America others away our problems and stops us from looking at what we can do to protect ourselves.

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