“The nation must unite against the Taliban after Aitzaz Hasan and Chaudhry Aslam’s deaths…they [Taliban] are responsible for more than 50,000 casualties in Pakistan,” Pakistan Peoples Party media advisor Fawad Hussain Chaudhry said on Wednesday.
He was speaking at a candle vigil in remembrance of Hasan and Aslam at Charing Cross on The Mall. The vigil was organised by several civil society organisations.
Civil Society Network president Abdullah Malik said Hasan and Aslam had written a new chapter of the country’s history with their blood.
He said, “Hasan had sacrificed his life to save his school fellows…he knew he would be killed if he stood up to the terrorists…he was courageous and without fear…Hasan is a true hero.”
“The death of one of our most valiant police officers is a great loss for our country,” Malik said, adding, “He sacrificed his life in the line of duty. The entire nation salutes his courage…only brave officers like Aslam know what it means to give their life fighting for their country.”
Speakers at the vigil said Aslam’s death should infuse new resolve and life in the police force. “Stakeholders should ensure that Karachi no longer remains a safe haven for terrorist outfits,” said one of the speakers.
These heroes will remembered for a very long time, said a speaker, the nation must recognise those who willingly risk their lives to protect others.
The participants at the vigil urged the nation not to let Aslam and Hasan’s deaths go in vain.
They also criticised the government for insisting on dialogue with the Taliban.
“Why? When they are openly killing and terrorising our people,” the speakers said.
They said the writ of the state had been compromised. The state had failed to protect its citizens’ lives, rights and properties- a clear violation of their fundamental rights, they said.
They said the terrorists had claimed responsibility for the attack on Aslam and that the murderers deserved no sympathy or dialogue.
“Our rulers must have the courage to fight against militants,” one of the speakers said.
The participants chanted slogans against terrorism, talibanisation and the government.
Several civil society activists including Amna Ulfat, Salman Abid, Iftikhar Shahid, Tamkeen Abid, Dr Sohail Zafar and Samson Salamat participated.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 16th, 2014.