Missing in spirit

Other than that, the security forces should be commended for keeping a strict vigil and preventing any untoward incident from happening. The special police squad units that were earlier used solely for VIP movements were ordered to maintain law and order. A suicide bomber however managed to blow himself up in Charsadda at ANP chief Asfandyar Wali's house that created panic in the area. Mr Wali escaped the assassination bid but the bomber claimed the lives of three men. Moreover, it was not a source of happiness either to learn that while the nation was celebrating Eid, parts of our tribal areas were awash with violence and grief. Just a day before Eid, a US predator fired two missiles in North Waziristan. One also cannot help but express sorrow on the misery of almost half a million internally displaced persons struggling in poorly managed camps and other places.

It is hoped that next year things would not be as bleak as they are at the present. The government can do well to manage affairs properly. What needs to be done is that the authorities must upgrade the system of moon sighting. With the use of modern equipment, tracing out the movement of the crescent could be made much easier. At least in simple matters like Eid the nation ought to put up a show of unity.