Pakistanis defy terror threat with zeal for cricket and literary festival

Putting behind fears of terror attacks, Pakistanis are trying to restore a sense of calm to their country.

Over the weekend, literati, national and international, assembled in Lahore to celebrate Pakistani authors and their work.

On Monday, officials announced the provincial capital will host the final of Pakistan Super League.

The two events represent resilience of the Pakistanis in the midst of multiple security challenges. Only last week, terrorists killed more than 100 citizens as they hit targets across the country – a gathering in Lahore, a Sufi shrine in Sehwan, and law enforcement and judiciary officials in Peshawar and Quetta.

The sudden return of terror happened at a time when the country has been hailed by world’s economists as progressing strongly on the way to becoming the 20th largest economy in the world.

The PSL final in Lahore due to be played on March 5, will mark a return to excitement and sporting zeal among cricket followers.

“One hundred per cent fool-proof security should be assured for the PSL final in Lahore,” Punjab Chief Minister, Shahbaz Sharif, brother of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said.

Under the massive plan, around 7000 police officials will perform duty at Qaddafi stadium to guard against any terror attack.

“Pakistan wants to show everyone we are a peaceful nation,” PSL chairman Najam Sethi told media after the announcement. “The nation has shown resolve and courage…this would not have been possible without the support of the Pakistani people and the media.

Four participating teams have qualified for the playoff stage, which starts from February 28.

The holding of finals of the Second Edition of Pakistan Super League is going to mark the return of international cricket that was badly affected after terrorist attack on Sri Lankan team in Lahore on March 3, 2009.

The resilience of Pakistanis was on display over the weekend when thousands of people turned up at the Lahore Literature Festival (LLF) 2017, refusing to be intimiated by fear, while the festival paid back their commitment with brilliant sessions.

Authors included William Dalyrymple, Dwight Garner, Hamid Mohsin, Ayesha Jalal, Michael Palin, Selima Hashmi, and many other budding and acclaimed writers.

“What a triumph #LLF2017 has been. Kudos @razi_ahmed_ @lhrlitfest and the booksellers and audiences. Oh, and maybe the speakers also,” Kamila Shamsie wrote on her twitter.
Originally, the Festival was planned to be a three day event at the Alhamra Halls but was rescheduled into a single day festival.

However, a robust presence of local and international writers and participation of students and academia, defeated fears.

While the organizers refused to share a reason for shifting the venue, hours before its commencement, it didn’t really seem to matter by the time the festival got under way.

Last week, literary festival was held in Karachi, also attracting poets, film stars and a number of literary figures from the West. The same spirit of resilience was on display at the revered Lal Shahbaz Qalandar Sufi shrine in Sehwan, Sindh. A bombing in the compound of the shrine claimed more than 80 lives of devotees performing Dhamal – an ecstatic Sufi dance. Only a couple of days after the bombings devotees were back with a message of tolerance. Similarly in Peshawar and Quetta people have long sprung back to life after each deadly attack.

The people of Pakistan have made their resolve to fight terror clear. They will not bow to terror threats. It’s now up to the government and the security organizations to do their part in defeating the menace of terror that has troubled the South Asia nation for almost a decade now. Islamabad will have to go all the way to fight off terror and restore full hope and confidence of the country of 200 million people.