In the weeks leading up to Wednesday’s election in Pakistan at least 179 people have been killed in attacks across the country.
This includes the recent attack in Mastung, which was the second deadliest terror attack in the country’s history where 149 people lost their lives.
This abhorrent attack was also the worst of this scale by Daesh (aka ISIS) in Pakistan, suggesting the desperation of its dwindling supporters following the group’s collapse in Syria and Iraq.
The attack was a cruel reminder that Muslims are the principal victims of terrorism, while also being on the frontline of fighting it.
In the weeks leading up to Wednesday’s election in Pakistan at least 179 people have been killed in attacks across the country.
This includes the recent attack in Mastung, which was the second deadliest terror attack in the country’s history where 149 people lost their lives.
This abhorrent attack was also the worst of this scale by Daesh (aka ISIS) in Pakistan, suggesting the desperation of its dwindling supporters following the group’s collapse in Syria and Iraq.
The attack was a cruel reminder that Muslims are the principal victims of terrorism, while also being on the frontline of fighting it.
Such elections can be imperfect, yet still they are a truly vital opportunity for people to have a say in their future.
As Pakistanis in their millions cast their votes, they defy the intentions of extremist groups like Daesh who seek to stamp out democracy and crush future hopes for the nation. I, along with many other British Pakistanis, will be watching this election, hopeful for our relatives’ freedom to vote and live peacefully.
A large portion of the population will be voting for the first time on Wednesday in this landmark election, with people from Pakistan’s autonomous tribal regions having been granted voting rights alongside a generation of young Pakistanis voting for the first time.
Pakistanis await a new dawn, hoping for a future that reflects their aspirations for freedom, dignity, prosperity and peace.
Tomorrow, millions of Pakistanis will go to the polls in the hope of a brighter tomorrow. Whatever the outcome, that’s the biggest rejection of extremism and violence there can be.
Image source from original article posted on: http://www.asianimage.co.uk/news/16374565.terrorists-are-attacking-democracy-in-pakistan-we-need-to-embrace-it/
