- Welcoming takeover of JeM seminary
Some of the points raised by the National Security Committee (NSC) had already been taken up by PM in his policy statement on Pulwama attack. The NSC statement is however more wide ranging and comprehensive. It has made it clear that Pakistan was not involved in the incident and was ready to enter into dialogue with India on all disputes including terrorism. Further, Pakistan is determined to take action against anyone found using its soil for terrorism. It rightly points out that there is need on the part of India to rethink its counterproductive policy of suppressing the Kashmiris.
The determination expressed to root out militancy and extremism requires that the much neglected National Action Plan (NAP) be implemented at the earliest. While Pakistan has fought against and defeated major terrorist networks, it has yet to fulfill its commitment to end extremism which provides breeding ground to terrorist networks.
The NSC has given formal authorisation to the armed forces to respond comprehensively to any aggression or misadventure by India. Any act of the sort will of course have to be dealt with by the armed forces. But in case a need is felt to widen the conflict, the matter will have to be put before Parliament which alone can take decisions about the matter. This is necessary to ensure that we do not sleepwalk into a bigger conflict with grave implications for the entire nation.
The UN SC resolution condemns the Pulwama terror attack. Despite India’s efforts it does not link Pakistan with Pulwama killings. The resolution however notes that JeM has taken responsibility for it. It is time Islamabad decided how to get rid of Masood Azhar, the man who fathered the network that claimed ownership of the Pulwama killings. DG ISPR is absolutely right that Pakistan does not want to provoke war with India. But there may be networks in the country who want it. They should have been sorted out before our own allies started complaining about them.
India has to be wary of the mob hysteria against Pakistan which is gaining intensity as the elections draw near. The Indian leadership should accept Pakistan’s offer for investigation instead of rejecting it out of hand.
