EDITORIAL (July 27 2010): The murder of the only son of Khyber-Pakhtoonkhwa Information Minister, Mian Iftikhar Hussain, was so shocking that many in the province did not know how to react to it. ANP chief Asfandyar Wali, as well as Railways Minister Haji Ghulam Ahmad Bilour, invoked Pashtun tradition to say it is not the way of the Pakhtoon to attack from behind or to target children [of an enemy].

The implication was that the so-called Punjabi Taliban were to blame for the awful tragedy. In fact, at first the spokesman of the terrorist outfit, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Azam Tariq, had distanced himself from the killing, expressing even regret over it. But soon afterwards, his deputy called some journalists and claimed responsibility, explaining Azam Tariq was in a remote area and hence was not aware of what had happened. He also offered some details of the incident, such as that six men had been sent to kill Mian Iftikhar's son, and that they had returned to their hideout, probably to prove that it was a well-planned operation.

A day later, the residence of Mian Iftikhar was struck by a suicide bomber. The blast killed eight people, including three policemen, and caused injuries to 22 people. This, though, does not explain which faction of the TTP, Punjabi or Pashtun, carried out the murder of an innocent young man.

The truth of the matter is that they all are adherents of a violent ideology, and do not hesitate to kill and maim innocent people. This they have proved time and again. Last October, for instance, they exploded a car bomb in Peshawar's congested Meena Bazaar killing more than 80 people - men, women and children - and wounding at least another 100.

Similarly, they had no qualms about exploding bombs in Lahore, later in December, at the busy Moon Market, which left more than 45 people dead and many others injured and maimed. These people care little about religious teachings or ethnic affiliations.

The TTP threatens the security of people everywhere in the country. But the ANP has been in their sights for a while, for being at the forefront of the ongoing war against extremist militancy. Almost all its senior leaders, including the party chief, have been targeted, at one or another time. They were lucky to escape, but scores of party men lost their lives.

Mian Iftikhar, himself had been receiving death threats, but he did not waver in taking a bold stand against the militants whenever an opportunity arose. He has now paid the ultimate sacrifice in the loss of his son. Aside from his party colleagues, this deeply tragic loss has touched the hearts of ordinary Pakistanis all over the country, strengthening their resolve to do whatever it takes to defeat the TTP and its allied terrorists.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2010