Faisalabad: January 17, 2014. (PCP) The government should not engage in a "fruitless dialogue" with extremists to ensure public security to become the top priority. Instead, it should take concrete steps and adopt an appropriate strategy against terrorism and the mind-set of those who spread fear and violence across the country. This was demanded by the participants gathered outside the Press Club in Faisalabad on 15 January 2013, for a candlelight vigil to honour the courageous martyrs Aitzaz Hassan of Hangu and Ch. Aslam Khan of Karachi. The event was organized by the Peace and Human Development (PHD Foundation) and Association of Women for Awareness and Motivation (AWAM) in collaboration with Adara Samaji Behbood (ASB), National Minorities Alliance of Pakistan (NMAP), SERVE NGO and Human Rights Defenders Network. At this juncture, a large number of civil society activists joined the vigil to commemorate the martyrs and loudly expressed their opposition to terrorism and extremism. They strongly condemned the suicide attack on SSP CID Chauhdry Aslam in Karachi and young student Aitzaz Hassan in Hangu, and demanded serious operation against extremist organizations. The participants lit candles, and carried bouquets and portraits of national heroes, Chauhdry Aslam and Aitzaz Hassan, who sacrificed their lives in separate attacks perpetrated by militants. They were also holding banners and placards inscribed with statements demanding peace in the society and justice for the brave souls who gave away their lives to protect the lives of others. Speaking on the occasion, the director of the PHD Foundation, Suneel Malik slammed the government for its willingness to hold peace talks with militant groups, who are enemies of humanity and killers of innocent citizens, and would never leave creating terror in the society and challenging the writ of the government. The situation would not change unless the government takes serious steps to control extremism, therefore holding dialogue with fundamentalists is useless. If we fail to stop extremists, this fire of violence will soon be at the doorstep of everyone. The government must take stronger and more effective action against fundamentalism and groups that have carried out with impunity attacks across the country. The director programs of the AWAM, Naseem Anthony expressed grave concerns on the dismal situation of law and order in the country, and demanded the urgent attention of the government, state institutions, political parties and all other stakeholders to pay attention towards controlling extremism before the situation gets completely out of control. A women’s rights activist, Shazia George said, “Attack on humanity is a failure of government to protect the lives of citizens. It is the fundamental duty of the state to provide protection to the general public, but the terrorists are moving freely along streets and fearlessly carrying out criminal activities, which indicate that the writ of the government is nowhere. A political activist, Robin Daniel said, “It is strange that some political parties call terrorists Martyr and the others talk of dialogue with them. The government and politicians must realize a clear cut policy and its implementation against terrorism.” “Police must be provided with the protection and equipment required to operate against heavily armed militant groups,” he added. A social activist, Irshad Parkash said, “The sectarianism will not come to an end unless hate is rooted out that is entrenched within our textbooks, that is sown in sermons across Pakistan and casually thrown about in drawing room conversations.” A peace activist, Shafiq Sharif said, “Terrorism has become incurable disease, therefore it is useless to negotiate with the terrorists having no respect for human beings. Therefore, terrorists must only be fought with decisive military operation, and must be brought to justice for targeting innocent people.” An educationist, Tohid Ahmed Chatha said that all those who stand against terrorism must be considered as the heroes; therefore Ch. Aslam Khan and Aitzaz Hassan are real national heroes of Pakistan. They will always be remembered for their extreme courage, because Ch. Aslam performed his duty with integrity and made example for his fellows that he was a brave and patriotic officer, and the brave boy Aitzaz Hassan saved the lives of his schoolmates by sacrificing his precious life while overpowering a suicide bomber.