Tensions Between India and Pakistan

[safdarmehmood]

The horrific, inhuman, and deplorable act of terrorism in Mumbai by the fanatic ruthless killers not only damaged the process of normalization of bilateral relations between the two regional nuclear powers but also brought the arch rivals on the verge of a military conflict. Killing of innocent citizens in any part of the world has no ethical relativism. It was not a crime against India but a crime against humanity. Every Pakistani condemned the gunmen who unleashed mayhem and havoc on the streets of Mumbai.

The savage killing of innocent people was an insane terrorist act which provided a chance to war hawks in India who are resorting to provocations to utilise the ambiguity of the situation for their own vested interests. All their efforts are aimed at internationally isolating Pakistan and to portray Pakistan as an epicentre of terrorism and a hub of religious militancy, extremism and Talibanization. All efforts are being made to politicise the issue and use it to propagate against Pakistan. A war of words between the two countries resulting in irresponsible statements is aggravating and worsening the situation. By using the Mumbai carnage for depicting Pakistan as prime safe haven of the world for extremists and militants, India is trying its best to win diplomatic sympathies of the world powers and putting immense international pressure on Pakistan. Pakistan is demanding substantial and significant evidence of involvement of Pakistani elements if any because with lack of evidence it can not take action. The demand of Pakistan is quite reasonable because India uses every such incident for bullying Pakistan being prone to such tactics.


India started blaming Pakistan within hours of the incident without probing the matter. All allegations against Pakistan are bereft of evidence. Pakistan has already condemned the brutal terror that unfolded in Mumbai and has extended all out cooperation to India to investigate and bring the culprits to justice but India is creating war hysteria in the region. To ease the existing tension between the two countries Pakistan offered for cooperation in a joint investigation to trace the remorseless killers of innocent citizens. It was a positive step but India is keeping Pakistan away from the investigations. It is the collective responsibility of both the neighbours to eradicate such elements and to purify the region from such elements with mutual cooperation. Instead of doing so, India is mounting pressure on Pakistan with a volley of allegations of harbouring terrorists.

Terrorism knows no borders. Extremism, Talibanization and militancy can not to be tolerated on our soil. The soil of Pakistan must be purified from such activities. Pakistan can not allow becoming breeding ground for militancy and terrorism. We must take constructive and result oriented steps to suppress the terrorists. Pakistan itself is one of the worst victims of terrorism. Terrorists are common enemies of both the countries. We must collaborate to trace and take action against such enemies. Pakistanis are not terrorists and they have condemned the heinous crimes committed by the extremists. Despite the complexity of the situation both the countries have equal responsibility to abate raising tension for the sake of their nations. Setting aside all the sentiments of chauvinism both the countries should cooperate in the investigations.

We at present are target of all kinds of allegations because India has successfully projected itself as a “victim” of terrorism. Whether or not any direct link is established between the atrocities in Mumbai and non-state elements in Pakistan, it is a bitter reality that India has succeeded in convincing the world community that the soil of Pakistan is being used for cross border acts of terrorism. We should wipe the terrorism out of our soil and crush the terrorists. It is our duty to show the world crystal clear actions we are already taking to bridle the extremist elements which are harmful to our country too. As we are being blamed, we should prove it to the world with convincing and irrefutable evidence that the plot was not hatched and sponsored on the soil of Pakistan. If any Pakistani was involved in such a criminal act against the humanity he must be brought to justice in accordance with the law of our soil. Our actions should be visible to the world community that we are trying our best to eradicate those elements, which are harbouring such kinds of extremism in the country. Our efforts on this direction may mitigate the mounting international pressure on Pakistan.

We can not afford to become a silent spectator when our country is being blamed for such an insensate crime. Whether India provides any evidence or not, we should investigate all the allegations ourselves and should arrest and prosecute the culprits if any.

India should not underestimate the military might of Pakistan because Pakistan has the capability to respond Indian aggression or surgical strikes befittingly. Any miscalculation may lead to an irreversible disaster. Our forces are fully alert for meeting any eventuality on eastern front and to defend our territorial integrity. In case of any misadventure in Pakistani territory caused by the belligerent attitude of India the innocent citizens of both the countries will suffer. Millions of lives will be at risk by any irresponsible decision. People of the region in no circumstances should become cannon fodder. War will only bring mutually assured destruction and will leave no one to claim victory in case of using nuclear weapons. Ultimately both the countries will be the losers.

India’s aerial incursion into Pakistani territory and violation of its air space erroneously can also lead to some misunderstanding in such a situation of equivocalness where no one of both countries trusts any one. If India is intentionally doing such intrusions to test the Pakistani nerves, being a sovereign country Pakistan will not tolerate it any more and will be compelled to retaliate which may lead to destabilization of South Asia. The most burning issue is to defuse and abate the heightened tension between the two nuclear-armed adversaries.

Despite our all possible efforts for an amicable solution, if India takes any aggressive step, the nation will be united against India and will fight shoulder to shoulder with its armed forces. The war will cause disproportionate destruction to India. The patriotism of our nation is beyond any doubt. There can be no difference about obligation of Jihad in case of Indian aggression. Hundreds of thousands of people will be ready to die for the cause of Pakistan with religious fervour.