A small window on peace may still be open
There is hardly any doubt that the dastardly act committed by terrorists at Pahalgam has the backing of Pakistan. If any iota of doubt remained, it was laid to rest by the Pakistani Defence Minister Khwaja Asif when he admitted that for the past three decades, his country had been backing, training and funding terrorists – doing the 'dirty work'.
Despite this acknowledgement by the Defence Minister, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has self-appraised his country as the 'world's frontline state against terrorism' which has 'endured immense loss'.
The plain reality is what age-old wisdom tells us – if you dig a ditch for others, you fall into it. Pakistan nourished terrorists who are now bleeding it in some cases. And yet it won't forsake that path! It would be naivety of the utmost order if anyone believes Pakistan's belated posture of innocence.
India is totally justified in aiming to defang the terror apparatus in its vicinity. In this, India has rightly got the support of an overwhelming majority of countries in the world which will definitely help her to deal with Pakistan with an iron hand which has become necessary considering that over decades, umpteen peaceful overtures by India have failed to bring Pakistan on to the right path. The spectre of war, therefore, is very real.
There is no doubt that the war will make a dent in the development efforts of both countries, more so in case of Pakistan due to its doddering economy. Besides, in a war, it is not merely the army men and women who lose their lives, but even the ordinary people staying away from the border suffer as the daily visuals of the two war zones in the world show us presently.
The non-invasive treatment of Pakistan in the form of suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty is already causing anxiety to Pakistan. It is a big, big blow as the three rivers course through entire landmass of Pakistan before merging with the Indus and then on with the Arabian sea. With water from the biggest river unavailable, agriculture activities will be hit, leading to famines and collapse of agro-based industries, etc. Even drinking water will become scarce for the people. How long will Pakistan be able to exist? The government and the army there have to seriously consider this scenario.
The people of Pakistan have been suffering due to economic problems and have been admiring India as a model of development. There is frustration in almost all parts of Pakistan — not only in Pak-occupied Kashmir and Baluchistan but also in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh. A small push by India can create existential problem for Pakistan. Therefore, it is in Pakistan's interest to seek peace and not conflict with India.
The ball is in Pakistan's court and time is running short. There is, however, a small window which offers hope. It must think of wiping off the blot of being a 'Terroristan', to use late Sushma Swaraj's term used for that country. For this, it needs to shun terror as the state policy and dismantle terror structure – training camps, launching pads, etc. – on its land. It must hand over terrorists wanted by India for their misdeeds directed at the people and state of India.
That will surely help defuse the highly tense situation prevailing now. Only that gesture will help Pakistan to prove its claim of fighting terrorism and be a respectable member of the comity of nations. India will then surely help Pakistan as an equal and worthy neighbour and assist it come out of the morass into which it has fallen.
This is easily said than done, considering the Pakistan army's vested interest in fomenting terror acts to keep its control over state finances and power. When the army generals there look at the peace and progress happening in Kashmir this side of the border, they fear a pushback.
But the Pakistani people, who are at the receiving end, recognise now the gameplan and have been voicing their distrust of the army. It is democratic countries that garner respect in the world.
Ultimately, it is the people's voice that will force the army to capitulate sooner than later.
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