While Pakistan continues resorting to tactics that keeps it in “denial-mode” vis-à-vis its involvement in Mumbai terror attacks, a goodwill team from India is back after exploring the possibility of ‘friendship’ with the people of Pakistan. The team suggests restoration of peace process emphasizing that there are more people who support ‘peace’ between India and Pakistan. The team comprising of people like Kuldeep Nayar, Mahesh Bhatt, Hanif Lakdawala, Shabnam Hashmi, Swami Agnivesh and others relies heavily on the surveying skills of its members to suggest that in Pakistan there are now more voices of peace. The team also seems to have readily admitted that Pakistan is a bigger victim of terror. Amidst all talks of taking stern measures against Pakistan in the wake of Mumbai terror attacks, the timing of the goodwill team is questionable and the intention all the more doubtful. How the trip was permitted by the government of India and who actually sponsored the trip are some of the uncomfortable queries which someone should take responsibility to answer.
Most of the neighbouring countries of India are today facing turbulent times. Bangladesh has just faced a mutiny by its paramilitary forces, Pakistan has conceded Taliban’s dominant position in Swat and Sri Lanka continues with its military attempts to overpower the tigers. These countries are facing the problems of their own makings. In India we face terrorism today mostly aided and abetted by foreign countries be it Bangladesh or Pakistan. So, the case of India, Pakistan and Bangladesh cannot be equated. The rise of Taliban in Pakistan is a phenomenon unleashed by the state of Pakistan itself in promoting, encouraging, protecting, instigating and facilitating such elements unabashedly. Now that Pakistan has agreed to impose sharia in Swat under Taliban pressure, its extension to other parts of Pakistan is only a matter of time. While the condition of women in Pakistan is set to become even more deplorable with every passing day, any semblance of democracy that it can be boast of too seems short-lived with radical elements taking over the reins of the government. It was a mistake to declare Pakistan a victim of terrorism during Non Aligned Summit 2006 in Havana by the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as it gave it the much sought escape route to cover up its anti-India acts. The same mistake should not be allowed to be repeated again.
|
(0 vote)