Bomb Explosions- stop blaming security arrangements, start campaign against the

show of religious processions"

Pakistan again faced couple of bomb explosions on Tuesday, January 25, 2011 on the day
of ‘chehlum’ of Hazrat Imam Hussain. One of these was in Lahore, and other was in
Karachi, both resulting in multiple casualties and injuries.

With these happenings, all Pakistani TV had channels started minute to minute reporting
of the events, heavily interspersed with silly questioning by the newscasters/anchors
sitting in the news studios to the stingers/reporters placed at the points of events, and also
to the political/ administrative personalities.

At the same time, these broadcasts/telecasts were heavily burdened with highly
nauseating views, opinions and analysis of the events by any and every possible one. All
the news channels have been busy finding as to why such things happen even though the
authorities claim that, very strong and fool proof security arrangements were made to
avert such incidents. All the channels, and the people coming to give their opinions, were
busy to blame the authorities for security failures.

I don’t really understand, the way bomb blast are being carried out by the unscrupulous
elements in the crowded public gatherings among the unassuming innocent people, how
these can be averted or avoided by any kind of security arrangements. I don’t understand
why, the TV channels, their experts and their guests do not demand from the public to
avoid such celebrations and gatherings, at least for the time being, to avoid loss of life of
both common man and the personnel deployed for ensuring security. I don’t understand,
in such an extraordinary situation prevailing in the country, why media/TV
channels/political experts do not demands for complete ban on such type of gathering and
celebrations which have no religious or social sanctions.

I request that, instead of wasting time on discussing the adequacy or otherwise of security
arrangement, the voices should be raised to stop such activities for the time being until
the situation in the country improves.