A call for help

As relations between Pakistan and India continue to deteriorate, the top military and political leadership in Pakistan has come together to present a united front. Most recently, after cross-border firing which resulted in the deaths of two Pakistani soldiers in what was termed a ‘surgical strike’ by the Indian establishment and media, the government of Pakistan has categorically denied that any such strikes took place. Amidst the war mongering that is being led by the Modi government, several false reports made the rounds regarding these so called surgical strikes which later had to be taken back due to lack of supporting evidence. Meanwhile, the PM called a cabinet meeting during which the government clarified its intentions to resolve the issue without resorting to force, however, it also vowed to defend the country’s borders against such violations. The Indian government’s attempts to take attention away from its atrocities in Kashmir by vilifying Pakistan as an instigator were also deplored. India’s attempts to shift the blame for the Uri attack on Pakistan and to try and take revenge were severely criticised. During the meeting, the Pakistan army’s response to Indian aggression was also praised and the military was assured of the government’s and public’s full support.



A call was made to the international community to take notice of the escalation of aggression as well as the human rights violations taking place in Indian-held Kashmir. Top-level meetings, including the inter-provincial National Action Plan gathering which is expected to be attended by the provincial and military leadership, are scheduled for next week. Despite all the calls to peace during the past several weeks and Pakistan’s attempts to raise the option of resolving the Kashmir issue through dialogue rather than yet another conflict, there does not appear to be any similar response from India. The Modi government has whipped up war hysteria and is now having to follow through with its grandstanding, a course of action which could end very badly for the entire region. The Pakistani leadership’s decision to exercise restraint is a wise one.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 3^rd, 2016.

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