For the safety of our kids!

The current wave of terror has taken at least 26 more innocent people's lives in a blast at Rawalpindi today. This makes parents like us more worried and have put us in a dual state of mind to whether to send our kids to school or not yet?

I have to draw attention to schools administration that they have to give special training to kids to make them aware of how to react in case of emergency. They should be given how to follow an evacuation plan, how to follow teachers to get to a safe exit etc. I have seen a lot of schools who have already taken security measures by installing CCTV cameras, increasing the height of boundary walls and having solid metal gates plus having increased number of security guards with metal detectors and small arms. One still wonders are these arrangements well enough to counter a potential attack of terrorists who are well trained, far better equipped and use modern techniques to use explosives. I appreciate Punjab government's announcement to have a special task force with in Police to ensure extra security to the schools. I would suggest to have special check post established at least a mile away from schools where possible on all possible routes to the school.

Its a very tough time for all our Nation and life loss of innocent civilians is indicating that our enemy believes in a cowardly war of targeting the people who have got nothing to do with the war against terror. Its an effort by our enemies to demoralize us as a Nation and to stop having faith in the government. We need to understand that we have very limited resources to ensure best of the security arrangements and our government needs to understand that what ever foreign aid is given to us is used in the proper manner and further more government has to cut down non developmental expenditures that includes a major cut in our defense budget as well where possible.

As parents our only dream is that our kids study hard and come in practical life to give their share to the development and prosperity of Pakistan. For that it is very important to let our children a chance to study in a stress free and safe environment. We sincerely believe in the competence and sincerity of our Armed forces and salute them as a Nation cause they are the ones who are sacrificing their lives for us on daily basis to nip the evil of terrorism in the bud and giving them an open gesture of all out support to them. I dont have a clue whether I will survive this war against terror or not as these terrorists are targeting on the most of the un-expected public places, but one thing is for sure that we as Muslims, are always ready for death as part of our faith so such negative tactics will not work with this brave Nation of us. Terrorists are not part of us, they are working on the foreign agenda to destroy Pakistan, but we are not threatened or afraid.

In the end I will quote historic words of Sir Winston Churchil when he addressed a parliament meeting where (during second world war) he was asked to have peace negotitations with Germany with Italy's help. He remarked that it will not happen even if every one of us in the government choking in bloody wounds and dyeing. England has a long history, if it has to finish here, it will be finished by whole Nation fighting for the very existence of it till last breath.

I would request all people to avoid going out to crowded malls, potential targets like government buildings etc for the time being till our Army strikes the terrorists heavily and we see improvement in the security and safety scenario.