Hafiz Saeed, leader of the powerful Pakistan-wide religious and social work organisation, Jamatud Dawa, is in the eye of the storm again after India got Saudi Arabia to repatriate an Indian agent belonging to the Lashkar-e-Taiba (L-e-T) who says that Saeed was directly involved in the Mumbai attacks that accounted for 166 innocent deaths.
The Indian named Zabihuddin Ansari went under 10 different fake names to hide is real identity: Abu Jandal, Abu Hamza, etc. Once in Indian custody he has started singing, the second fatal development for Pakistan, which doesn’t credit revelations made by Ajmal Kasab, the Pakistani terrorist caught in Mumbai, thus deepening its isolation in the world as a country that is being undermined by terrorism but doesn’t want to admit it.
Ansari has reportedly confessed that he had gone to Pakistan illegally and was present as a trainer in Karachi when a gang of Pakistani terrorists was sent to India by sea. He says that Saeed was present in the Karachi control room when the 26/11 masterminds choreographed the carnage of Mumbai. He further damages the Pakistani stance, which had already taken a hit through David Headley’s arrest and confession. Saeed is a powerful man in Pakistan and no one can speak openly against him. He has been the champion of the rights of the Kashmiris, as his ‘freedom fighters’ were active inside the Indian-administered Kashmir, frequently spreading terror further afield inside India. He is currently the power behind the Difa-e-Pakistan Council, showing muscle in the streets of Pakistan against any reopening of the Nato supply routes. The US has repeatedly asked Pakistan to proceed against Saeed as a terrorist, annexing this conditionality (without naming him) to agreements of aid to Pakistan. It has recently announced a $10 million reward for information leading to his arrest.
Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram has charged that not only was Saeed involved in the Mumbai attacks, but also that the existence of the control room in Karachi suggested that Pakistan’s state institutions were involved in the planning and execution of the attacks: “Such a control room could not have been established without some kind of a state support”. Pakistan’s then naval chief had asserted that he had found no evidence that any operation had been launched into India from Karachi.
Indian investigators got on to Ansari’s scent after Kasab named ‘Jandal’ as one of the persons who saw off the 10 attackers at the Pakistani shore, including the L-e-T’s Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi who is currently taking the rap for Saeed in a slow-moving Pakistani court. Ansari had escaped from Pakistan to Saudi Arabia on a Pakistani passport and was repatriated to India on an Indian request. Why did Saudi Arabia release him when Ansari presumably claimed that he was Pakistani? The obvious guess is that the Saudi authorities are threatened by al Qaeda’s outreach among the Saudi population and may also want to send a signal to Pakistan. There is no doubt that it sees the hand of al Qaeda in the Mumbai attacks.
The Pakistani embassy in New Delhi has responded cautiously without committing anything, clearly anticipating Islamabad’s refusal to accept the latest charge against Saeed: “Pakistan has been at the forefront in the campaign against terror. As agreed at the highest level between Pakistan and India, terrorism is a common concern and counter-terrorism cooperation is in the mutual interest of both countries. Pakistan has renewed its offer of cooperation in this domain”. TV anchors in Pakistan are silent except one who has denounced Saudi Arabia for having ‘betrayed’ Pakistan. Interior Adviser Rehman Malik has predictably rejected the Indian home minister’s charge. The latest sorry episode exposes Pakistan to further isolation globally and increases pressure on it to do something about terrorism that has sapped the writ of the state and threatens the world. If Pakistan wants to avoid being completely isolated, it has no choice but to launch a serious investigation into the Mumbai attacks and bring to book those who were involved in this heinous act.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 1st, 2012.
COMMENTS (32)
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WHO IS ABU JANDAL? Its all nothing but a story. it is very important to note that Abu jandal is saying all things which were already told by India. it is like a cinema story.
Wonderful piece of editorial yet again by ET!
This is high time that we start behaving as a responsible nation collectively before rest of the world community lose whatever is left of their patience. Harboring terrorists in the garb of strategic depths is no more a viable policy. In fact, it never has been but our masters, sadly, kept on singing the same tune for decades brainwashing the common man to the limit that he started thinking and believing that everybody else is his enemy except the masters, while the fact remains that these very masters have been the main source of all ills faced by the nation.
Well done ET. We all need to speak up and denounce terrorism in all its forms. USA & Saudia Arabia along with Zia created these dens. It shall continue to haunt us all. It is not only isolating us, it is damaging us from within.
My vote for ET! You are superb. Keep it up.
It must be shocking for citizens that news that is leaking drop by drop is showing them slowly and steadily why their country is viewed globally as it is. Citizens have been fed on a diet that claims that terrorists backed by India/US/Israel have killed 40000 of their own. The proof that the World is showing clearly points a finger to the source of terror plaguing the region. Emotions like anger, frustration and despair must be coursing through the veins of readers that the elite has lied through their teeth and are taking them on a ride to nowhere but destruction.
Anyone who thinks that Indian intelligence and press are not carefully leaking selective bits of information with an objective to get Pakistan and damage her relations with KSA, he/she must live in a fools paradise. I am sorry to say that ET is one of the inhabitants of this paradise.
Hats off to ET editorial staff! No other newspaper can write such bold & truthful article. Requesting the policy makers & establishment to take note of isolation of Pakistan.
There is Fasih, another Pak trained terrorist with Pakistani passport on the wings whom Pakistan is desperate trying to extradite form SA. Pakistan has given every proof about his domicile in Pakistan. But, soon, he will be deported to India, and Pakistan will suddenly disown him as usual and deny every links to him and his past in Pakistan. Eventually, Fasih too will sing stories about his days ithere. ET has made a new beginning by reporting a factual story, as there is no point in hiding the truth. Satyameva Jayate ....truth shall always prevail.
In a recent talk show, Raza rumi had the cheek to suggest that the onus is on Pakistan to conduct an investigation into the charges - the compere and fellow participants figuratively pounced on him with a why? Kudos to ET by the way
what in future will happen,the so called saud will be thrown out of Arabia and given sanctuary in isreal, because over 100 years ago he was imported from the Jews. in reality a Jew in Islamic form
Well, Pakistan has two options - and both actions suit India.
Pakistan continues with its terror project, 'strategic depth' nonsense and lets its own country be consumed by sectarian divide that is brought in by such ideologies. Over years, this will lead to disintegration of Pakistan itself. World won't sit by and watch nuclear weapons fall in to wrong hands so UN security council will ensure some action is taken for a smoother transition of Pakistan.
Pakistan takes action to moderate the nation. Puts it on a non-extremist path and sees co-operation with India as a way out of the morass. Focuses on development rather than religion. In a decade or so, achieves the same level of growth & stability as India.
In both outcomes India will be a winner, and Pakistan will lose badly in one of the outcomes.
why no newspaper in pakistan is ready to publish the fact that Pakistan tried very hard though Govt. channels and through intelligence agencies to stop Abu Jandal extradition to india claiming he is a pakistan citizen.Once Abu reaches india Rehman malik denounce him saying he is indian
It seems Hafiz Saeed is more powerful in Pakistan than the top people in power Really a pity state of affairs
My compliments to the Editorial Team on their wisdom and courage!. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Congratulations. It must take enormous courage to admit the Pakistani state's terrorist ways and state the truth -- even if it is through gritted teeth and heavy heart. But your courage is wasted. The state is in denial and will let the country rot rather than act to stem the rot.
One thing that strikes me after reading this editorial is that ET honestly wishes well for Pakistan. When a man confessors his guilt, he lighten himself and paves the way for his own good. He may even get the sympathy of the same society which is victim of his misdeeds. Pakistan now lies in similar situation. It should stop this age old double game of first claiming these people as its citizen and claim his custody from SA, and when he is deported to India suddenly disown him and tell he is India's own home made terrorist. Pakistan now claims another terrorist in Saudi, Fasih as its citizen. Once he is deported to India and he start confessing, Rehman Malik will sing the same old tune that we are all used to by now.
A great editorial albeit one flaw. Why would an Indian agent get a Pakistani passport and go to S. Arabia? In addition if he were Indian agent why would he not go back to India happily and not brought in as a terrorist? If Pakistan needs to survive as a country and not be a pariah nation we have to change our mindset. You said and it is the key "the L-e-T’s Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi who is currently taking the rap for Saeed in a slow-moving Pakistani court." There has not been a single terrorist and fanatic that our courts and lawyers did not like. While the most irrelevant cases against elected leaders of PPP start in SC and continue till their verdict the cases against the terrorists never see the verdict except there is not enough proof and the court releases them. Taseer's murderer is living like a hero and there is no sign his case would be finalized ever. In the two attacks on BB, hundreds of PPP workers died, yet the case would never see a day in higher court. We have to prioritize the severity of crimes and the courts should proceed accordingly. The memo did not kill anybody but these terrorists are killing Pakistani civilians and destroying our future in the world.
"TV anchors in Pakistan are silent except one who has denounced Saudi Arabia for having ‘betrayed’ Pakistan."
If this is true, can some commentator please tell me who this person is? Because if this person feels that Saudi betrayed Pakistan, he (or a loud mouthed she) is inferring that Pakistan, as a country - as a whole, supports terrorism and protects terrorists.
Right again ET. KSA is realizing that the foot soldiers developed by LET et al may be used against the kingdom. Also KSA must have questionedJandal and must have got the same information from him. Its funny how your actions come back to haunt you.
" .... Pakistan has been at the forefront in the campaign against terror. ... "
Yes, "campaign" as in PR, not actually fighting it.
An editorial to be remembered for it's bold stance.ET is way better than most Pakistani and Indian newspapers.
Ah "Satyamev Jayate" : Truth Only Prevails" I don't know how can so many Pakistanis, for so long, keep denying the demon they have nurtured within themselves. Its a poison that's killing them gradually and yet they are inebriated in a false sense of pride.
SATYAMEV JAYATE!
At last some sane voice emerges in Pakistan. Good editorial.
This is the first article from Pakistan which is implying that it more or less promotes terrorism. We in the West have been saying that for many years and out of frustration our leaders also say it (Hillary Clinton, Obama, Gordon Brown, David Cameron etc).
However, I do see some light at the end of the tunnel. I am expecting this to come through IMF and other financial institutions. Pakistan is literally spending money it does not have. The current expenditure on defence is not sustainable and the army's argument of having "hostile" neighbours will not stick forever. The doctrine of hate towards Jews, Hindus, Americans and Ahmadiyya proves that we have failed. Its about time we started with a new slate.
Huge of Saudi Arabia to extradite him to India...they have a lot to atone for their promotion of their extremist ideology in Pakistan.
Pak needs to wise up. Stop deceit, denial and derangement with regional policy of addiction to violent religious extremist militants. It's psychotic and clearly suffering blowback. Unfortunately just like the lone anchor that felt 'betrayed' by Saudi Arabia, such is the delusional mindset that is prevalent.
The longer Pakistan keep on denying and protecting terrorists, the more it has to face the consequences. Gaddafi and Libya kept denying involvement in Lockerbie bombing. It took many years but we can all see what happened to Libya and Gaddafi. Libya was a rich country and Gaddafi considered to be more Arab than the others and even abused the Saudi Monarch openly. In a way it is good for India that Pakistan keeps denying and protecting the terrorists. Whatever argument Pakistan is using today protect the terrorists will be used against it also, be it by India, Afghanistan, USA or others. In fact this is already being done. Allah shall not protect just because you claim to be FAITHFUL. He shall protect only if you are TRUTHFUL.
Alas, this event too will pass and Pakistan will not do anything further to combat terrorism. Things will remain the same for the for-see able future.
this editorial is a red letter day for the journilism in Pakistan, when a news outlet can say "Saeed is a powerful man in Pakistan and no one can speak openly against him." "frequently spreading terror further afield inside India." all one need is the imagination to connect the dots. Kudos to ET.
A courageous stance by the Pakistani press, e.g. this editorial, only brings credit to the country. More importantly, the editorial points out the practical necessity for bringing terrorists to book: the global isolation of Pakistan that has already has severe economic consequences such as choking the flow of promised aid. No amount of chest-thumping can overcome harsh reality, but only worsen the situation on the ground.
Another instance might be the threat of deporting Afghan refugees: in the days to come, if Pakistan is seen to harbor terrorists as part of its political ambitions, it will be seen as a rogue nation, and Pakistanis all over the world, citizens or not, might be compelled to leave. This has happened before when Japan went to war against the world, and could happen again with redoubled force. There is a saying that people who live in glass houses should not throw stones at anyone.
At least some in Pakistani press have the courage to state the truth - although not the whole truth. Even this editorial was not bold enough in the way it tried to put a spin to the story by using terms like "Indian agent".
The Pakistani intellectuals need to understand that by not taking a clear cut against terrorism they are doing irreparable damage to their own country.