The New Nation - Internet Edition

THE death toll in the bomb attack targeting a hotel in Pakistan has reached 60 and the number may increase further. The carnage is one of the worst that Pakistan suffered recently. Not only it led to tragic loss of human lives, the incident will add to further destruction of the image of that country as a terrorism-infested one. Needless to say, such a branding is very undesirable for a country in all respects, specially for economic reasons. Foreign investments are particularly scared away from such perceptions.

Bangladesh can learn from the unfolding events in Pakistan. The violent happenings there are the handiworks of extremist forces. If Pakistan had evolved as a democratic state with institutions and political culture to take into account people's grievances and act on them positively, then very possibly there would be no inducements for extremism or terrorism. Dictatorial and authoritarian governments stifled the growth of democracy in Pakistan. Politicians who governed the country after a seemingly democratic transition, also did not play their role in a constructive manner. Thus, Pakistanis got neither the benefits of democracy nor good governance.

Like in Pakistan, extremist parties exist in Bangladesh. They made their presence through countrywide bombings and spreading of their message some three years ago. Timely action by law enforcement bodies at that time took away much of the wind from their sails. But the extremists are once again seen bent on staging a return and this constitutes a threat to the security and stability of the country. Thus, the law enforcement bodies need to be unrelenting in their vigil and actions against such groups. At the same time, the political parties will have to mature and do much better in providing the fruits of democracy and good governance to the people.