The bomb blast in Lahore on Easter highlights the focus of terrorist groups on attacking religious minorities, and reflects the radicalisation of the broader community. It is time for the state to focus on more fundamental approaches to nation-building.

The terrorist attack in Lahore on 26 March 2016 which killed more than 70 and injured at least 300 civilians reflected a colossal security lapse. The fact that the attack happened in the heart of Punjab, a stronghold of the ruling party Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, is a further testimony of the security failure.

This latest incident has once again triggered debate on the role of religion in Pakistan. Arguably, some would point that various legislations and policies introduced by the military regime of Zia-ul-Haq and perpetuated by succeeding governments, have led to increased intolerance towards non-Muslims while radicalising an increasing number of Pakistanis.

… Sara Mahmood is a research analyst at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) in Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. This is part of a series running up to an upcoming RSIS conference on “Islam in the Contemporary World” on 28 April 2016.