EDITORIAL: The sense of shock and outrage expressed at the murderous assault on Khan Abdul Wali Khan shows how deeply the nation abhors the cult of violence. Prime Minister Bhutto gave expression to the dismay and shock felt by all citizens irrespective of their political affiliations when in his message to the NAP Chief he described the incident as a heinous attack and assured him of full cooperation in detecting the criminals and bringing them to book. ...

[T]he dastardly act could only be the handiwork of irresponsible adventurers who have scant regard for human life. ... Such desperadoes pose a grave threat to our civilised existence as well as our political system. ... In this particular case Khan Wali Khan had a Providential escape. ... No stone should be left unturned to nip this mischief in the bud before it takes root. While the primary responsibility for apprehending the criminals rests on the Province, the Federal Government should not hesitate to step in if its assistance is needed in tracking down the would-be assassins. The sooner the person or persons behind the shocking plot are unmasked and their motivations exposed the better it will be... .