Time for Pakistan to give up the 'jihadi' option forever: Hussain Haqqani

Called upon government to up the ante against terror if it wanted to show world it was serious in combating militancy

NEW DELHI: Former Pakistani envoy to United States, Hussain Haqqani, said Pakistan was not doing enough to show the world the seriousness of its efforts to curb and eradicate terrorist setups breeding on its soil.

"It is time for Pakistan to give up the jihadi option forever, only when we do that, we will have credibility in the international community," Haqqani said.

Haqqani told ANI that terror attacks in India perpetrated by agents from across the border were a deliberate hindrance to peace talks.

"Terrorists have always wished to interrupt talks between India and Pakistan through terror attacks. But India and Pakistan must understand that there is no other way than a peaceful bilateral dialogue. No terrorist is a friend of Kashmir, India or Pakistan," he said.

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Calling upon the Pakistani government to up the ante against terror if it wanted to show the world that it was serious against militancy he said that "Pakistan's government continues to say that it is trying to eliminate terror and efforts have been started, but they are not enough. Pakistan needs to make it clear to the world and to India that no jihadi group will have safe haven in Pakistan anymore."

Haqqani observed that Pakistan itself had suffered in the hands of terror breeding on its soil and said that it was high time that authorities accepted this.

"The acceptance and tolerance towards jihadi groups over the past has harmed Pakistan more than any other country in region," he felt.

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The former Pakistan envoy to the US condemned Friday's terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua and said efforts were required from Pakistan to build confidence and move towards healthier, meaningful dialogue between the two countries.

"Kathua attack should not only be condemned, but Pakistan must extend cooperation in finding out which groups based. Only then can the confidence be built which will enable India and Pakistan to move forward in a comprehensive dialogue," added Haqqani.

He termed Pakistan's steps towards Tehreek-e-Taliban as a positive step but an inadequate one.

"Unless Pakistan acts against Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, JeM and all militant groups, wherever they might be operating Pakistan, will continue to be suspected by international community of harbouring terrorists," he said.

Pakistan High Commissioner in India, Abdul Basit's decision to engage with Hurriyat Conference leaders from Kashmir was criticised by Haqqani, terming it as an 'ill-advised' move which would not be looked on positively by India.

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He called upon both nations to change their perception of each other and engage in dialogue with renewed vigour.

"There will be occasions when India will call off talks, Pakistan will ocassionally back away from talks due to India's comments. Fundamental change is needed. Pakistan must stop looking at India as an existential threat and permanent enemy. And India should stop looking at Pakistan through a partition prism," Haqqani concluded.

This article originally appeared on Zee News