January 20, 2016, Peshawar: The Center for Research and Security Studies’ (CRSS) flagship radio program Sabawoon’s latest episode was about the terrorist attack on Bacha Khan University (BKU) Charsadda. The program also discussed a new wave of terrorism in Pakistan after the National Action Plan (NAP), psychological pressures on students due to continuous terrorist attacks on educational institutions, threats to educational institutions in Peshawar and Charsadda from terrorists groups, security monitoring in educational institutions, and the role of mainstreaming the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) in countering terrorism.
The program aired on Wednesday under the theme of ‘Jwandey Jazbey’ (alive spirits). Two journalists from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), Mr. Aziz Buneri, and Mr. Inam Ullah, took part as guests in the program. While Ms. Summaya Tehseen, a student of BKU and eyewitness of the BKU terrorist attack, Mr. Saeed Khan, Public Relations Officer, BKU, and Mr. Shah Hussain, the father of a martyred BKU staff member, participated live via telephone calls.
A live report from BKU highlighted the program’s central theme. The report shared the details about the terrorist attack. The reporter, said, “It was 09:00 am. The terrorists attacked the BKU campus from the cover of fog, gaining entrance from the back. They entered the hostel and start firing. The incident has taken 20 lives so far, including 16 students and 4 staff members.”
A caller on the show, Mr. Niaz Ali Shah, said, “It is one the toughest situations for us, we need to be united in this stance to fight against terrorism. The government should play their role to counter terrorist activities efficiently, and prevent them from happenning.”
Mr. Shah Hussain, Father of a BKU martyred staff member
“I lost my son in this tragic incident, but I haven’t lost the courage to fight against terrorists. We have lost thousands of people in the war against terrorism. We will stand firm to fight them. Even if all of their bullets are consumed, we will not surrender. We are the followers of Bacha Khan, who was a symbol of peace.”
Mr. Aziz Buneri, Senior Journalist, Peshawar.
“Since the last seven days, educational institutions in district Charsadda and Peshawar have received threats from different terrorist organizations, but no serious action has been taken by the government to counter it. This is the result we got today in the shape of a terrorist attack on BKU.”
Mr. Inam Ullah, Radio Journalist, Peshawar.
“In NAP, it was decided to act against the very narrative of terrorism. But unfortunately, the same mindset is still alive, and it needs a comprehensive strategy to change the narrative of terrorism and extremism in the region. Also, the mainstreaming of FATA could be helpful to control terrorists’ activities in the country.”
Ms. Summayya Tehseen, Student BKU and eyewitness.
“When I entered the main block of the university, I realized it was the sound of firing. Due to the fog I was not able to see the armed gunmen. I thought it could be a fight in the near village, but with the passage of time, it became obvious we were under attack. I was about to get out out of the university. For me, it is quite hard to go back, because I don’t feel safe.”