Charsadda attack a warning for liberal forces: analysts

Political analysts believed that the attack was against a secular leader, who had always avoid taking sides in the ongoing battle in the tribal areas of NWFP and had always sought solving problems through negotiations. The kind and invisible hand of God had spared Pakistan from a political catastrophe. Asfandyar Wali, the grand son of Bacha Khan, had always walked a tight rope and strove for unity among the Pakhtoons across the board. The suicide bombing was a gruesome reminder to the political forces fighting to bring peace and tranquillity in the country and to the government which had bent backwards to find a respectable solution to problems facing FATA. The bombing reminds that the destabilising forces have the men and materials and boldness to strike anywhere in Pakistan at will. Coming almost immediately after the Marriott bombing and targeting one of the leading political figures of Pakistan, the Charsadda suicide attack would confuse all the secular and liberal forces in Pakistan who are working to rid the country of extremism and terrorism.

The Taliban factor has once again reared its ugly head causing concern among the government which should take all imaginary or otherwise perception about Taliban seriously. In a city like Karachi, the head of MQM was constantly warning the government about Talibanisation in some areas of the city. However, his warning was ignored and given no credence by the concerned government functionaries though the MQM leader had provided sufficient proof. The latest incident in Baldia town is sharp reminder that the Taliban have their loose network in Karachi.