How Pakistan is alienated on World Platform?

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif wadding through muddled waters of internal dissidence sought to rake up the issue of killing of Burhan Wani, Hizb-ul-Mujahideen Indian commander to avert internal crisis.  After the killing of Burhan Wani, Kashmir Valley witnessed wide spread protests and violence. On July 13^th Pakistan’s UN envoy Maleeha Lodhi condemned the killing of Burhan and termed it as an “assassination of a popular Kashmiri leader” and expressed concerns over the “atrocious brutality” and “heavy-handed tactics” of Indian forces in “India Occupied Kashmir”. In its strongest ever reply India’s UN envoy Syed Akbaruddin remarked that Pakistan was misusing the UN platform for Kashmir issue. He lashed out at Pakistan referring to it as “a country that covets territory of others; a country that uses terrorism as a state policy towards that misguided end; a country that extols the virtues of terrorists and that provides sanctuary to the UN-designated terrorists; and a country that masquerades its efforts as support for human rights and self-determination” and admonished all its claims. He quipped that owing to its dismal record on human rights, Pakistan failed to obtain membership of UN Human Rights Council. He extolled India’s pluralistic, diverse and tolerant society and its “strong commitment towards promotion and protection of human rights”. Notwithstanding India’s rebuke, Pakistan urged UN to commission an independent probe for investigating the extra-judicial killing of Burhan Wani. India also rejected a demarche issued to Indian High Commissioner at Islamabad. While India lambasted Pakistan for interfering in its internal affairs, Islamabad faced similar censure from the US.

US Indictment

The US Congressional Foreign Affairs Committee in Washington seriously mulled cancellation of all kinds of US assistance to Islamabad for failing to act on the Afghan Taliban that have safe havens in Pakistan. Some Congressmen prevailed that Pakistan be declared a state sponsor of terrorism and economic sanctions be imposed if Pakistan fails to destroy the terror sanctuaries on its territory. Debating on the Pakistan: a friend or foe? Congressmen opined that Taliban and Haqqani Network were protected by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. For decades while India frequently lamented and silently suffered Pakistani deception, international community simply dismissed it. With US finding it extremely difficult to work with an erroneous partner, it started feeling the heat. On a lighter note, trolls of #Pakistaning bragging its dubious virtues have become a common place. #Pakistaning meaning deceiving. US indicted indictment Pakistan for failing to bring a logical conclusion to the prolonged state of unrest in Afghanistan.

Deterioration of ties with neighbouring countries

Pakistan’s relations with Kabul too have touched a new low. Last week Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security (NDS) ex-chief, released documents that explicitly exposed Pakistan ISI’s (Inter State Intelligence) collusion with Afghan Taliban and Haqqani network. The documents reveal Pakistan deep state’s financial transactions with terror outfits for carrying out high-profile kidnappings and suicide bombings in Kabul. Pakistan has been diverting US funds to Haqqani network. In 2015, Afghanistan President Abdul Ghani after assuming charge, made overtures to Pakistan and averred from the Pro-Indian stance advocated by his predecessor Hamid Karzai, anticipating Pakistan’s cooperation and support to convince Taliban leaders for peace talks. In sharp contrast, emboldened Taliban escalated attacks on Afghanistan extended its control over a huge swathes of territories. Aggrieved Afghanistan found no reprieve after seeking Pakistan’s help. With Taliban failing to turn up at peace talks, embittered Afghan president openly rebuked Pakistan and eventually called off peace process. More recently Ghani lashed out at Pakistan @ NATO summit and condemned it for carrying out an “undeclared war”. Adept in art of subterfuge, Pakistan evaded the charges and retorted that India aided Islamic militants to gain foot hold in the Nothern region.

Moreover tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have ratcheted up with after the clashes at Torkham Gate. Both countries deployed their armies, used heavy weaponry and suffered casualties too. In a bid to compel Afghanistan to accept Durand Line as the international border, Pakistan is taking it head-on and threatened to send back 1.5million Afghans who sought asylum during 1980s. Amidst these threats, Pakistani Pashtun nationalist leader on his visit to Afghanistan promised that all Afghan refugees living in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa can continue to live there without fear and asserted that province belongs to Afghans. Thus he challenged the legitimacy of Durand line and added that the border extended till banks of Indus and includes parts of Baluchistan. With emergence of reports suggesting support of Afghan and Iran Intelligence agencies to Baluchistan freedom movement, Pakistan is rattled. Ever since Modi rejuvenated ties with Afghanistan and signed the trilateral transit agreement with Kabul and Tehran tensions have surged. Pakistan has even picked up a fight with Iran for killing four of its soldiers along Iran’s border with Baluchistan. Iran was indeed miffed with Pakistan over misconduct of General Raheel Sharif during his visit to Pakistan.

Sponsor of Terror

Now Pakistan’s role as state sponsor of terrorism is under scanner with Bangladesh government alleging ISI’s role in Dhaka attacks. Ruling out the involvement of ISIS, political advisor to Sheikh Hasina asserted that ISI’s connection with Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen is well known. This local outfit was responsible for the attacks that claimed 24 innocent lives.

Saudi Arabian security identified a Pakistani resident responsible for the Medina blasts that killed 4 people. So far Saudi detained 41 Pakistanis for alleged terrorist activities. The overwhelming links of Pakistan with terror activities is becoming more ominous. Though Pakistan defies its role, mounting evidences from various countries indicts its role. Pakistan has been posing a severe challenge to India for past five decades with its doctrine of bleeding India with thousand cuts. India has been a worst victim of its massive terrorist training program. Despite irrefutable evidences, India so far failed to muster enough support to alienate and suffocate Pakistan. Pakistan’s formidable links two superpowers-US and China precluded it from international censure and alienation. With China too facing the wrath of defying the International Arbitration on South China Sea, Beijing’s ethical disposition is highly debated. The errant credentials of Pakistan can now be scrutinized with US expressing its reservations about Islamabad.  By far with Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Iran visibly distraught with Pakistan, India can leverage enough support to challenge the terror pogrom patronized by Pakistan.

Domestic Crisis

Ever since his return from London after heart surgery, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is facing tough internal challenges. In his absence General Sharif virtually presided over every important policy decision of the country. Facing stiff internal opposition over alleged Panama Links, Sharif’s wobbly political future forced him to mend fences with opposition. To win over Bilawal Bhutto and Imran Khan who have been vociferously condemning the Burhan’s killing, Sharif has stiffened his stance on Kashmir and decided to deride India on an international platform. But Pakistan’s contemptible record on terrorism and human rights failed to evoke any response.

Following an amelioration of Pakistan’s internal security and cracking of Pakistani Taliban through operation Zarb-e- Arab, General Sharif’s popularity reached new heights. Last week posters urging extension of Sharif’s tenure and demanding imposition of martial law mysteriously appeared across various cities of Pakistan reflecting aweful deterioration of civilian government popularity. Appalled by impending political slugfest, in a bid to appease the GHQ, Rawalpindi Sharif made damning statements about human rights violation in Kashmir. Further he declared that July 19^th be observed as black day for Pakistan at a special cabinet meeting. The strident remarks are aimed at upping political rhetoric in the upcoming elections for Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) scheduled for July 21^st. Sharif has been making last ditch desperate attempts to gain political mileage out of the recent developments in Kashmir Valley. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s defence minister stooped to a new low by linking the 2002 Gujarat riots with Kashmir violence and making unceremonious reference to Prime Minister Modi. India unequivocally rejected the cabinet decision on Black day and questioned the locus standi of Pakistan terming Kashmir issue as India’s internal matter.

Nothing can be as sanctimonious as Pakistan observing black day on killing of a terrorist in Kashmir valley. Over the past seven decades, no other country in the region have failed its citizens as Pakistan. Pakistan has a pathetic record on human rights violation. Interestingly, on July 15^th, All Fata Political Parties Alliance threatened to observe August 14^th as black day if government fails to merge Fata tribal areas with Khyber Pakthtunhwa. The list of human rights violation of Pakistan is formidable. While the India part of Kashmir is democratically administered, the residents of Gligit-Baltistan have no rights. In 1948 Pakistan has forcibly usurped Baluchistan against their wishes and suppressed Baloch freedom struggle with military boots. In the past 66 years Balochistan suffered five military operations. According to Nawab Bugti since 2006 over 140,000 Baloch people were killed and 20,000 were missing. Systemic atrocities against Ahmadiyas, Shia and minorities Hindus, Sikhs, and Christians are unspeakable. Its despicable ethnic cleansing of 3 million Bangladeshis speaks volumes of Pakistan’s stand on human rights. Almost every province is battling severe insurgencies. Standing troops are army are deployed to maintain law and order. Except for Punjab province, all provinces are controlled by army. After the bomb blast in a public park at Lahore, Nawaz Sharif was forced to handover reigns of Punjab, the sole province which is governed by civilian administration to army. Thus Pakistan has no moral standing on human rights or for that matter even the prevalence of democracy in its country is questionable. Instead of delivering evocative statements about Kashmir, Pakistan must expend energy and time on reviving floundering economy and deteriorating political stability else it may soon face the prospect of diplomatic alienation.

 

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