India Maligns Pak Leadership
By Sajjad Shaukat 
Since BJP came to power, its leader and Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi has been implementing its party’s agenda by accelerating false propaganda against Pakistan, its Armed Forces and country’s superior spy agency ISI.
In this regard, Indian newspaper “Deccan Chronicle” published a false story on November 7, 2014, titled “Pakistan’s ISI may target India’s key economic centers and important installations.”
In the recent past, Indian troops after having committed ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) and Working boundary (WB) martyred several Pakistani nationals including personnel of Rangers. Instead of extending an apology, Indian propagandists shamelessly accused Pak Army and ISI for backing cross-border infiltration and violations. On October 15, 2014 in the RAW sponsored Indian daily, “Deccan Chronicle,” Ranjnish Sharma allegedly asserted that Pakistan’s repeated ceasefire violations also led to severe differences between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Pak Army and ISI.
And, in collaboration with the extremist outfit RSS, Indian agencies orchestrated a drama to defame Pakistan in the world. On December 31, 2014, Indian media allegedly reported that a Pakistani fishing boat as a Pakistan-based group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) was intercepted by Indian Coast Guards, at Porebandar, Gujarat. In this respect, an operation was undertaken on a precise intelligence tip and boat was ordered to stop, but it did not comply and sped away. They set the boat on fire and it exploded. Indian Coast Guard officials stated that no body or debris was found due to bad weather. However, Indian officials who failed to produce any evidence to Islamabad started portraying another version by suggesting that the boat which had left Keti Bandar, Karachi might have belonged to small time smugglers. While, it is not possible that 30 HP boat could run four state of the art Indian Coast Guard ships.
The aim of this Indian drama was to create an aura against Pakistan prior to US President Barrack Obama’s recent visit to India and put pressure on Pakistan government on Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi’s bail issue and allege LeT as an organization, posing regional threats—and accusing Islamabad of sponsoring terrorist activities in India. In fact, this is nothing, but a brazen reflection of Indian divisive propaganda, targeting Pakistan’s civil military relations.
It is notable that Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif tried his best to establish cordial relationship with India, and to restore the peace dialogue with the latter. He also encouraged trade with India. For the purpose, he participated in the oath-taking ceremony of Prime Minister Modi. But, on May 27, 2014, Prime Minister Modi’s meeting with Prime Minister Sharif proved faultless, because Modi raised baseless issues of cross-border terrorism as pre-conditions to advance the Pak-India dialogue. He said that slow pace of trial against the terrorists of the Mumbai 26/11 terror case; being held in Pakistan is main hurdle.
Indian prime minister ignored the fact that on July 19, 2013, the Indian former home ministry and ex-investigating officer Satish Verma disclosed that terror-attacks in Mumbai in November 26, 2008 and assault on Indian Parliament in January 12, 2001 were carried out by the Indian government to strengthen anti-terrorism laws.
Similarly, Indian Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde revealed on January 20, 2013 that organized training camps run by the fundamentalist parties, RSS and BJP were promoting Hindu terrorism. He also explained that these extremist parties were behind the Samjhauta Express, Meccca Masjid and Malegaon blasts.
But, India always accused Pakistan’s ISI of all these subversive acts, while, Indian official confession shows that these terror attacks were arranged by Indian RAW.
However, under the directives of BJP government, Indian print, electronic and social media do not waste any opportunity to continuously spit venomous propaganda against Pakistan. Since the start of New Year, a palpable shift has been noticed in the trends of Indian media. It generally spared the political leadership of Pakistan in the past and targeted Pak Army and ISI as a favorite flavor for its propaganda cuisine. Nevertheless, to create a sprinkling affect, Indian media seems to have started targeting Pakistan’s political leadership as well.
In this context, in a latest attempt, social media site (Oneindia) and “Deccan Herald”, dated, January 13, 2015 gave space to a speculative report in which Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been alleged for maintaining double standards against India. Quoting a latest book, “Where Borders Bleed”, written by ex-Indian diplomat Rajiv Dogra, published by Rupa Publication, it is alleged that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had approved the episode of serial blasts in Mumbai in 1993.
In fact, allegation of involvement of Prime Minister Sharif in 1993 Mumbai blasts episode is imaginary and baseless. And, as to why the author, Rajiv Dogra who served as Indian Counsel General Karachi took so much time to write and level such allegations.
While, Pakistan has always remained forthcoming in resumption of meaningful diplomatic engagements with India, however, contrary to Pakistan’s posture, Indian leadership has shown stubborn attitude and calling off the negotiations on flimsy pretexts. In past too, New Delhi made pretexts to cancel peace talks, while shifting the blame to Pakistan. For example, in 2002, under the pretension of terrorist attack on the Indian parliament, India postponed the dialogue process. Again, in 2008, India cancelled the ‘composite dialogue’ on the pretext of Mumbai terror attacks. Last year, New Delhi cancelled the Secretary level talks with Islamabad under the pretext that during his Indian visit, Pakistan’s prime minister’s special advisor on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz met Kashmiri leaders.
Now, India accelerated cross-border shelling inside Pakistan’s areas. India’s main aim is to delay the Pak-India peace process, as it is not serious in resolving all issues, especially main dispute of Kashmir with Islamabad.
Nonetheless, the book “Where Borders Bleed” also contains speculative inferences about political leaders of both Pakistan and India and likely to generate controversies about them.
Pakistan’s leaders of the political parties may be encouraged to write and express their view point to counter whimsical allegations, leveled against their leadership in the book.
Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants, Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations
Email: sajjad_logic@yahoo.com
