By Muhammad Azfar Ahsan

Mujhey koi achee khabar sona, meray khush nazar, meray khush bayan,

Meree kashtian hain bhanwar bhanwar, meree bastian hain dhuan dhuan…..

(Amjad Islam Amjad)

The Islamabad incident while highlighted monumental security lapses and loopholes in the country, it also raised questions about efficiency and professionalism of country’s disaster management infrastructure. The search and rescue capability of our civic agencies needs to be completely overhauled. Usman Manzoor reported in The News:

“The Capital Development Authority (CDA), like Nero of Rome, was playing the flute when its icon of security, The Marriott, was burning in the heart of the capital”.

“Saturday’s blast not only exposed the fire-fighting unit of the civic authority but also raised fingers at the high officials of the CDA and the cabinet division whose negligence left Marriott burned down completely. According to well-placed sources, the civic body had spent Rs 600 million on fire-fighting equipment but due to the contractor, who was to supply the fire-fighting equipment to the CDA, did not do so in three years and the hotel was reduced to ashes on Saturday night”, he added.

This bomb blast would badly affect the Pakistan’s economy. It was also a big blow for foreign investment in the country, as foreigners would feel more insecure to invest in Pakistan. The economy was already in deep trouble as all macro economic indicators were showing negative trend and country direly needed foreign investment to cope with the current economic challenges for which business friendly, peaceful and secure environment was essential. But suicide bombing attacks and other acts of terrorism would deter the foreign investors from coming to Pakistan, which would further weaken our economy.