Befitting response

In the wake of Indian blame game after the Pulwama car bomb attack, which killed 44 security forces, Pakistan gave a robust diplomatic response. This sort of prompt and sagacious diplomacy had never been demonstrated by the ruling leadership of Pakistan when the 26/11 Mumbai incident occurred and when Patankot Airbase was stormed by a group of militants. India has once again tried to link Islamabad with the militancy which actually exists on its own soil and is gaining momentum because of the brutalities and human rights violations that are going on unabated in the Indian held Kashmir and marginalization policy of Hindu Chauvinistic government of Narendra Modi across India.

The quick move of the foreign office to appraise the Islamabad based ambassadors of five permanent members of the United Nations is an appropriate response. Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua met the ambassadors of the United States, Russia, China, Briton and France to enlighten about the real situation. However, it seems that the United States may be willing to buy the India’s narrative because of strategic partnership in the region between the two countries. India’s external affairs ministry has claimed in a statement that the US National security Advisor John Bolton has talked to his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval and assured his country’s support for bringing the culprits behind this attack to justice. The Indian side also claimed that both national security advisors agreed that the US and India will put up joint efforts against all regional and global threats of terror and compel Pakistan to fulfill its obligations under UN resolutions. Proactive and sustained diplomacy must be initiated in Washington and New York at the UN level. Moreover, our diplomats posted in Berlin in Germany and capitals of other European Union countries should be tasked to counter the Indian propaganda that Pakistan is harbouring cross border terrorism.

India has always chosen the timing of its own choice for carrying out false flag operation to malign Pakistan and convince the international community on its narrative against it. When Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi was in New Delhi for composite dialogue round in November 2008, Mumbai attacks occurred. Without having proper consultations and brainstorming session with the foreign office senior officials, the then President Asif Zardari jumped to conclusion and blamed non-state actors for these attacks. It amounted to giving credence to the Indian allegations of cross-border terrorism. When a group of militants came in the official jeep of SP Gurdaspur district of Indian Punjab and attacked the Pattan Kot Air force base in 2017, Nawaz Sharif government lodged an FIR in a Police Station in Gujranwala against the unknown militants. Again it was the endorsement of Indian narrative against the interest of state. An investigation team was also sent to assist the relevant Indian agencies in the investigation of the incident but since it was a false-flag operation India did not allowed access to Pakistani team to examine the spot of the occurrence.

This time too the timing of the Pulwama attack happened few days before the visit of Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman to Islamabad and starting of hearing of high profile RAW agent Kalboshan Jadhev at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. Mr. Jadhev has confessed of masterminding terrorist attacks in Pakistan. Foreign Minister Shah Nehmood Qureshi has offered India Pakistan’s cooperation in the investigation of Pulwama attack and it remains to be seen how India responds to it.

Ironically, Iran has also accused Pakistan of supporting the militant outfit that killed 20 plus Revolutionary Guards in the South Eastern province of Seestan. The Revolutionary Guards Commander Major General Muhammad Ali Jaffery has threatened in an interview with official Iranian News Agency if Pakistan does not fulfill its territorial responsibility then Iran reserve the right of counter action. The reservation of this neighbouring Islamic country needs to be immediately addressed through diplomatic channels.