PHOTO: ONLINE
As Indian vitriolic became menacing, Pakistani civil and military leaders on Wednesday warned New Delhi against any ‘military misadventure’. The belligerent exchanges between the two arch nemeses capped a week-long verbal duel between politicians from both sides as their bilateral relations touched their lowest ebb since the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Hours after a minister in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s cabinet warned that the Indian strikes in Myanmar were a message to all countries, including Pakistan, that New Delhi would strike at the ‘place and at a time’ of its choosing, Pakistani leaders cautioned India to make no mistake as ‘Pakistan is not Myanmar’.
Top military commanders, who met at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, made it clear that Pakistan would defeat Indian ‘designs’ and defend the territorial integrity at any cost. The stern warning was issued during a formation commanders’ conference presided over by army chief General Raheel Sharif. Attendees included corps commanders, principal staff officers and all formation commanders.
“The forum took serious notice of the recent Indian hostile rhetoric coupled with covert and overt actions to destabilise Pakistan,” the military’s media wing, the ISPR, said in a statement. The top commanders said it was highly regrettable that Indian politicians not only indulge in actions that are in violation of the UN Charter but also take pride in claiming their interference in the internal affairs of other states, it added.
The forum was given comprehensive briefing on security environment and professional issues.
In his address, the army chief while recounting the successes of security forces in Operation Zarb-e-Azb, paid rich tributes to the officers and men for the ‘phenomenal successes’ in the offensive and sacrifices they have rendered for the defence of the motherland.
He said terrorists have been cleared and dislodged from their strongholds in North Waziristan and Khyber agencies and the fight now is moving into last few pockets close to the border with Afghanistan.
Laying emphasis on continuation of operations till the elimination of last expected and probable terrorist groups and sanctuaries, he exhorted the top commanders to take all measures to prevent escape of trapped terrorists. “With the entire nation standing behind, we will remain focused on achieving the objective of a terror-free and peaceful Pakistan,” he added.
Underscoring Pakistan’s multiple and complicated challenges, Gen Raheel said the Pakistanis are the most resilient nation in the world which is on course to emerge victorious from these testing times. “Our main collective aim is to make Pakistan a secure, strong and prosperous country,” he said.
‘India should stop daydreaming’
Joining voice with the top military commanders, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan warned India not to cast any evil eye on Pakistan. “Those who are contemplating any kind of adventure in Pakistan must know that they will get a bloody face in the process,” he said in a statement.
The interior minister said Pakistan wanted peace with India and always believes in resolving all issues through dialogue. “Pakistan will not allow India to become a hegemon in the region. The Indian leadership must have to stop daydreaming,” he added.
Nisar said Pakistan’s military was ready to face any adventure set by its enemies. “Those who have evil designs against us—listen carefully, Pakistan is not Myanmar,” he said referring to the open threat from the Indian information minister.
The belligerent statements came a day after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif told UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon that New Delhi was not reciprocating to Pakistan’s peace overtures and that UN Security Council should ensure implementation of its resolutions on the Kashmir dispute, which is a nuclear flashpoint in South Asia. He also called the provocative statements from Indian leaders as ‘disappointing’.
Earlier this week Indian Premier Narendra Modi, while speaking at Dhaka University, admitted that his country had played a role in the dismemberment of Pakistan in December 1971. Islamabad has reacted sharply to his remarks and called upon the international community to take note of Modi’s admission of his country’s interference in internal affairs of other countries in violation of the UN Charter.
‘Modi spoiling environment’
On Wednesday, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said Modi’s statement was just a statement and “we shall confine ourselves to the level of this statement”. Speaking to journalists at the parliament’s lobby, he accused the Indian leader of vitiating the environment for peace between the two states.
Asif said Pakistan was a peace-loving nation and wanted cordial relations with all its neighbours, including India. However, he warned that if Pakistan’s Line of Control was violated, India would be given a befitting reply. Pakistan can defend its sovereignty.
‘Diplomat not expelled’
Amidst escalating tensions, Indian media reported that the Modi administration has expelled a Pakistani diplomat posted in New Delhi, Muhammad Idrees, for his ‘unethical activities’ in India. Reports claimed that Indian authorities turned down visa request of Idrees, declaring him persona non grata.
However, Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Qazi Khalilluah termed the reports ‘factually incorrect’. “Idrees is an official of the ministry of foreign affairs. A few months ago, he was designated for appointment in the High Commission of Pakistan, New Delhi. However, due to inordinate delay in issuance of a visa to him, he is being assigned to another Pakistani mission abroad,” he clarified.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 11th, 2015.
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