| After gunmen killed scores of police cadets in an audacious attack on a police training academy, people across Pakistan discuss whether the 'war on terror' is working for Pakistan. ATIF K BUTT, LAHORE  This is one of the most tragic incidents in our nation's history. The government must take some concrete steps to eliminate the roots of terrorism so that we can live peacefully.
This has been the second incident in Lahore this month. On 3 March the Sri Lankan cricket team was attacked.
The attackers are showing their strength in the capital of Punjab and they are showing that they have a stronghold here.
People are really fearful and pointing their fingers at the government. They are talking about why the government is failing to tackle this issue.
Pakistan is paying a high price for the war against terrorism. We were not involved in this war before 2001. Back then we were leading peaceful lives.
Now we are a part and an ally of the war against terror. We are paying a higher price than any other country in the world.
The government must think of how we move forward with international powers so we can save our people and live our lives peacefully.
AWAIS KHALID, STUDENT, LAHORE The people in Lahore are deeply shocked over what has happened. Everyone is talking about the attack.  |  We are talking about withdrawing from the war on terror. It's just too much for us to cope with.  | We have played a major role against the war on terror and yet we have suffered the most. We believe the time has come to pull out of this war and remain neutral. This war on terror does us no favours. There is tight security now but security is always tight here. People are worried about what is happening in the city. It is beyond our understanding as to why terrorists are targeting the police. We have no idea about the motives. It is really a shocking incident and now we are talking about withdrawing from the war on terror. It's just too much for us to cope with. We are really doubting our commitment to this.
ZAMZAM AMAN, DOCTOR, LARKANA, SINDH I think Pakistan is suffering for the war on terror. We feel really hurt. I feel as if my own body parts are burning. We are helpless. That is probably because of the weakness of the security system in Pakistan. We can't control suicide bombers, they are just walking bombs. It is very dangerous and difficult. I am very worried about that because we all love our country. I don't think the international community can do anything. This is an internal matter. These extremists have got a problem. I think they are furious and don't want Pakistan to get closer to the US. Lack of education causes these problems. These children see a dark side in our religion which is not really there in the holy book.
KHZIR I TAJAMMUL, PR AND ADVERTISING, LAHORE Our office is in the heart of the city. As I entered the office I was greeted by empty work stations. It was deja vu from the 3 March attacks [on the Sri Lankan cricket team]. A sense of foreboding took over me. As suspected, the entire workforce had gathered in the boardroom - the only room that carries a television set. Images and stories of 'Lahore under Siege' poured forth and we all watched in silence - paralysed yet again by the shock and grief of an attack on Lahore. Later, a colleague stepped out of office for some personal work. He scoffed at our concern to be cautious and stay in. He said he couldn't put his life on hold for another disaster, which was now, at least to him, part of the norm. He returned about an hour later and said that the streets were practically empty. Lahore has been in grief since the cricket attacks and there has been a lot of public support for the police. Young people are now contemplating life outside Lahore. We always thought our city was much safer than say, Karachi, where this usually happens. Other people ignore the issue and are stuck in their shells. I don't think we have an option to opt out of the war on terror. The government do what they have to do as there is intense pressure from the US. They have their interests in our country, their military bases and their drones kill our civilians. I think there's no coming back from the war on terror, and that's the real question. Right now we are so deeply involved in it that it looks impossible.
LUBNA AISHA HASSAN, KARACHI For the past year the government has done nothing and we are now paying the price for this war they have engaged in. We are not getting anything positive. It's not very nice. There is bloodshed. But the worst part is that it seems as if no-one is doing anything. They have to take action, do something. I don't know. I've been thinking about these people and how brainwashed they are, thinking they are acting in the name of Islam. But when drones come and when someone is bombing your part of the country and your relatives are killed, then they become vengeful. If people could come up with an argument for peace based on Islamic principles... But the government does nothing, just condemns every time something happens. Lahore used to be a very peaceful city. | 
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