Peshawar: City of death and hope

The blast at Khyber Supermarket was one of the worst to hit Peshawar. There is no criminal to be caught.

Zarmina Ikram June 30, 2011
There was a blast in Peshawar Khyber Supermarket on June 11, 2011 at approximately 11:45 pm, killing 40 and injuring around 100.

It was supposed to be one of those peaceful weekends when I’d be chatting with family over a meal or engrossed in an inconclusive talk-show on television.

I recall sitting at home, watching television with my family when the sudden sound of an explosion shook us all. It was terrifying and distressing at the same time.

Who was at the blast site? How many lives might have perished away in this blast?

Many questions rose in my mind but were silenced by an inner voice saying ‘perhaps not many people were killed’. I instantly chastised myself. Isn't even the loss of one innocent life enough to trigger grief?

I visualized being at the blast spot, encountering the aftermath - a world of utter helplessness  filled with horrific scenes of blood, scattered human flesh and body parts. I heard screams and loud cries.

Among the numerous blasts to strike Peshawar, the one which took place at Khyber Supermarket was a mighty one.

One of the victims was a student of University of International Management Sciences, Haroon Khattak. A talented young man in his late twenties who was pursuing his MBA and was considered a bright talent of one of Peshawar’s prominent television channels ATV Khyber. With burns on 95% of his body, he is still under critical care at the Burn Unit in Wah Cantt.

A few days ago he was playing pranks among his friends and today he is struggling for his life.

Did he deserve this?

How was he at fault?

Besides him, numerous students have succumbed to death.

Just like every other blast in Peshawar, there is no criminal to be caught. Nobody has claimed responsibility and as time passes investigations will be forgotten.

Yet, despite the frequent terrorist attacks, people living here haven’t lost hope. Normal life in such a sensitive city means moving on - every single day. People cease to be traumatized by blasts taking place every now and then.

People roam the city as if nothing interrupts their normal lives but every time they leave the house they know it could be their last day on Earth.

I have spent almost half of my life here in Peshawar. It is close to my heart and soul. I have witnessed numerous terrorist attacks wrecking this city but to my astonishment I always noticed it resurrecting itself. Every time I am dejected the resilience among the people of this city inspires me.

Today as I drive on its roads, I see every single road narrating the horrific tales of heinous blasts, every single building standing outright but with impressions of utter disasters, even the air whispers the cries of its innocent citizens for their unspeakable misery. Yet the sunshine redeeming those sorrows tells me that its a new day, a promising day, a harmonious day. A day, when I look back and bow before those thousands in honour, who sacrificed their lives for this city. A day vowing, no more blasts, no more human sacrifices and no more tests.
WRITTEN BY:
Zarmina Ikram A Peshawar based communications assistant for the Provincial Disaster Management Authority
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (30)

Palwasha Ikram | 12 years ago | Reply Excellently written article..its really sad n tragic that innocent people in peshawar are becoming target of such selfish,evil and inhumane terrorist every other day..GOD bless our whole country and INSHAHALLAH we will all remain united like a very strong nation.No one can underestimate and ruin our strong and invincible country..
Shandana | 12 years ago | Reply Very well written Zarmeena. Indeed you have to move on no matter what.
VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ