On the anniversary of two of Pakistan’s most heartbreaking tragedies, the President of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBAP), Mian Muhammad Rauf Atta, issued a poignant statement on Monday.
Reflecting on the Fall of Dhaka in 1971 and the APS massacre in 2014, Atta urged the nation to learn from history and honor the sacrifices made by those who lost their lives in these tragic events. He paid tribute to the fallen heroes of 1971 and the innocent martyrs of the Army Public School attack, recognizing their bravery and resilience.
"I, on behalf of the entire legal fraternity and the 27th Cabinet of SCBAP, would like to pay tribute to the fallen heroes of 1971 for their valor and bravery, and to the innocent martyrs of 2014 for their resilience and priceless sacrifice against the menace of terrorism," the statement read.
He noted that both 1971 and 2014 remain painful events in our national history. "The former reminds us of the need for political introspection, and the latter reminds us of the extreme sacrifices we made in the war against terrorism."
"Although we, as a nation, take pride in overcoming the ordeals of 1971 and 2014, it goes without saying that the price we paid on both occasions was heavy and irrecoverable."
The SCBAP president added, "If we reflect, both of these tragedies teach us the same lesson: A house divided against itself cannot stand. We must recognize that our enemies seek to see us politically, socially, and economically unstable and polarized. They do not want us to prosper, progress, or live in peace and harmony."
"We must not give them such an opportunity by creating political chaos, as is happening today."
"In this regard, we assert that had the findings of the Hamoodur Rehman Commission Report been implemented in true spirit, we as a nation would have been in a much better position today."
"However, it is never too late, and we reiterate the need to implement the recommendations of the said report."
The Association stressed that the need of the hour is a National Political Reconciliation Plan, just as much as the implementation of the National Action Plan in its true letter and spirit.
"We believe that by sowing the seeds of political unity, we will reap the fruits of economic stability and security."
He further stated that the SCBAP forum is open to all stakeholders in order to move toward the much-needed national political consensus.