Slogans of ‘Free Baluchistan’ have been seen on the streets in the West
ISLAMABAD: Apparently, propaganda against Pakistan seems to be gaining momentum through malicious campaigning outside the country, as in a span of few months it has happened for the second time that cabs with slogans of ‘Free Baluchistan’ have been seen on the streets in the West. Previously, the same slogans were seen on cabs in Switzerland and now they are being witnessed in London. Whereas tracking down the hidden hands behind the anti-Pakistan propaganda might not require rocket science, it does raise questions over the ability and professionalism of the Foreign Office officials. Was their protest with the Swiss authorities taken so lightly that a few months later the same has emerged in another state? Also, how did the anti-Pakistan lobby manage to pass through the authorities and law in the UK without raising any eyebrows?
What’s of greater concern is the fact that the forces fuelling a separatist movement in the country have enough resources and links with the anti-state elements to do the same in foreign lands. Hence, lodging protest with the respective countries’ Foreign Office or denouncing the act might not be enough and the Pakistan Foreign Office must not only stop such campaigns but also improve its conduct of state’s affairs in foreign countries.
Hammad Zubair
Published in The Express Tribune, November 5th, 2017.
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