** Peshawar: an alarm that resonates beyond borders **
The recent suicide attack in Peshawar, which has already caused the death of at least 12 people and injured around thirty others, is not content to be an isolated tragic incident. It extends a series of violence that shakes Pakistan, drawing attention not only to national media, but also arousing strong concerns at the international level. To better understand what is hidden behind such atrocities, it is essential to explore the roots of violence and its impact on socio-political dynamics, both in Pakistan and in the region.
** A premeditated context: the risks of Ramadan **
The attack, which occurred during the sacred month of Ramadan, is no coincidence. It is a period when the Muslim community gathers around spiritual, peace and solidarity values. By deliberately choosing this moment to perpetrate acts of violence, militant groups seek to create an emotional shock, to disturb social order and to sow terror. This strategy is not new, and it is not only a Pakistani phenomenon.
Around the world, extremist groups use periods of meditation to strike, hoping to provoke a strong emotional response from the affected communities, thus increasing their visibility and their impact. This scheme can recall the Paris attacks in 2015, which also coincided with rally periods. Emotional resonance is not to be taken lightly in these contexts, and it can have lasting political consequences, threatening peace and stability.
** A reaction that negotiates with a dark story **
Faced with repeated attacks, the response of the Government and the Pakistani armed forces has often proved to be unsatisfactory. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed condolences, but this pathetic behavior of the authorities is only a dressing on a gaping wound. Statistics reveal that Pakistan has been renewed in recent years: according to studies, militant attacks have increased by 60 % since 2021.
On the one hand, this trend is explained by an unstable political environment and a power struggle between different factions. On the other hand, it is fueled by a persistent failure to establish confidence between citizens and security forces. Given the history of negotiations with the Taliban, the Pakistani company finds itself trapped in a cycle of violence which seems inextinguishable. Calls to national unity are often stifled by a climate of distrust, where many people feel abandoned by a government deemed incapabated by its fundamental duty of protection.
** International comparison and reflections **
The problems encountered by Pakistan in terms of security are not unique. Countries such as Iraq, Syria or African regions have experienced similar experiences in which extremist groups have taken advantage of social fractures to justify acts of violence. However, a major difference lies in the geopolitical role of Pakistan, a country which, due to its strategic position, is at the center of many international tensions.
The involvement of foreign powers, whether through financing, logistical support or military pressure, has often completed the situation. The attacks, far from being simple acts of violence, then turn into instruments of geopolitical pressure. The international community, notably the United States and China, has an evaluation role of the consequences that these attacks can have on their geopolitical interest in the region.
** Awakened rebirth or eternal chaos? **
This attack makes a thorny question resonate: what future for Pakistan? Violence does not end with reactive reactions; It requires a holistic approach. This can go through a better education, attentive listening to the concerns of local communities, and a real political will to repeal mistrust, all in a context of socio-economic development.
Instead of focusing only on military repression, the Pakistani government must initiate economic and political inclusion programs that seek to respond to the profound causes of this phenomenon. In other words, transforming fear into hope will be the only way to lasting peace.
In addition, more solid international cooperation would be essential to share experiences and best practices on how to overcome this cycle of violence. The resilience of communities and the support of regional and international partners can help build a peaceful future.
In short, this attack in Peshawar cruelly recalls that behind each figure hides a life, a family, a broken future. The fight against terrorism cannot be only military; It must be a collective battle involving all the segments of society to identify and send the profound causes of this tragic problem.