Hypocrisy the hallmark of Pak’s actions The Statesman 26 Nov 19
https://epaper.thestatesman.com/2435123/Bhubaneswar-The-Statesman/26TH-NOVEMBER-2019#page/7/2
Hypocrisy the hallmark of Pak’s actions 26 Nov 19
The Pak foreign minister, SM Qureshi, recently wrote to the UN for the umpteenth time, accusing India of imposing a security blanket in the valley along with a communications lockdown. He also accused India of ceasefire violations and targeting civilians. He ignored the fact that it is Pakistan’s export of terrorism and fake messages, which compels India to continue with an internet ban and adopt a strong counter-infiltration posture including responding to ceasefire violations.
Pakistan foreign office spokesperson, Dr Mohammad Faisal, had stated in a press conference, a few days ago, that Pakistan had ‘exclusive rights’ over three Indian Western rivers, adding that any attempt by India to divert flow of these rivers would be considered an ‘act of aggression’.
Pak remains fearful that India may abrogate the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) in case of hostilities or if Pak’s misbehaviour becomes pronounced. Pak has always desired Kashmir for its water resources, rather than affinity with the population. For Pak, any such act by India can impact its economy and population, hence it considers these actions as hostile. Simultaneously, pushing in terrorists and instructing them to target non-Kashmiris and burn apple trucks to damage local economy of Kashmir is not a hostile action. Hypocrisy.
Imran Khan has been speaking on Kashmir as if it was always be a part of Pakistan, ignoring history and reality. His tweets on Kashmir only seem to project that the region is under siege. He has been demanding plebiscite and mediation, aware that it was Pakistan which failed to initially implement the plebiscite, as also no international organization nor nation has any role post the Shimla and Lahore declarations.
Imran claims to support Kashmir as it is a Muslim majority region. At the same time, he ignores the Chinese treatment of Uyghurs, another Muslim majority region, where religion has been suppressed and Muslims forced to act against their faith. Even the release of a 400-page document proving Chinese actions elicited no response. The Pak Dawn newspaper stated on 20th Nov in an editorial, ‘Like many other countries, Pakistan too has a spotty human rights record, but when it can speak out against the human rights violations of the Kashmiris and the Rohingya, can it stay silent about the Uighurs?’
Pakistan criticises the EU for growing cases of Islamophobia. The ruling PTI’s spokesperson stated on Sunday, ‘Such hate-inspired actions are contrary to the EU human rights convention and the European human rights court’s decisions on the issue of limitations on freedom of expression in relation to attacks on Muslims and Islam.’ Simultaneously, it ignores Chinese actions on Muslims while signing a letter supporting China.
Imran accuses the world of ignoring Kashmir as nations desire closer economic ties with India. He does the same as he ignores Chinese handling of Uyghurs as it bankrolls the CPEC and provides Pakistan with diplomatic and military support. When questioned on China he feigns ignorance, while claims complete knowledge on Kashmir. Hypocritic Imran.
Post the abrogation of Article 370 Imran stated, ‘incidents like Pulwama are bound to happen again. I can already predict this will happen. They will attempt to place the blame on us again. They may strike us again, and we will strike back.’ For Pakistan, any action taken by India to counter their evil designs is an act of war. On the other hand, actions by its terrorists in Kashmir is justified by claiming them to be an internal act, without any reference to Pak.
Imran has been accusing Indian security forces of brutally suppressing Kashmiris. Restrictions exist, however, post adopting preventive measures, there has not been a single death. Hence, his cries have had limited impact. Simultaneously, he ignores that there are thousands officially documented Baluchi’s and Pathans missing in Pakistan.
Pakistan accuses India of supporting the Baluch freedom struggle and the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement, while refusing to acknowledge the official support ISI provides to anti-India terrorist groups, over which Pak is now in the FATF Grey List. Its continuation in the list is due to it failing to meet global requirements in curbing terrorism funding. Refusing to accept its own shortcomings, it blames India, claiming it is politicizing the FATF.
Pak has been announcing that it opened Kartarpur for religious reasons and improving Indo-Pak relations. However, the presence of posters on Khalistan and Kashmir at the Gurudwara indicate anything other than enhancing ties.
Pak has for decades been supporting terrorism in India. It is an established fact that terrorist strikes in India, including in cities of Mumbai, Delhi, Jammu, Srinagar, Samba and Nagrota have been launched from Pak soil. Known terrorist leaders move freely in Pakistan. When questioned, Pak claims that there is no proof of their involvement.
Terrorists killed along the LoC cannot be coming from any other country, yet Pak denies its involvement and demands coordinates of launchpads, expecting the world to believe that launchpads are permanent structures, rather than temporary one-night stay locations for housing terrorists prior to launch.
Pak is aware that Gilgit Baltistan is disputed territory yet permitted China to develop the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) through the region. This is against all international norms yet considered acceptable by Pak. It has separated Gilgit Baltistan from POK, an action India never objected to, while it continues to harp on Indian abrogation of article 370 and bifurcating J and K into two Union Territories.
When India responds to Pak’s actions by a retaliatory military strike, Pak claims aggression. This implies that Pak believes it can launch hybrid warfare against India, but Indian retaliation is an act of war.
Pak accuses India of acting against the UN resolution while claims its actions on Gilgit Baltistan is within the UN charter. It blames India for ceasefire violations and targeting civilian population, ignoring its own violations in support of infiltration and simultaneously attacking Indian villages. It falsely charges India for human rights violations conveniently ignoring its own. At every stage Pak displays hypocrisy projecting itself to be innocent while India remains the aggressor. No wonder the world ignores Pak’s cries.
About the Author
Maj Gen Harsha Kakkar
Retired Major General Indian Army