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Khawaja Asif’s correct stand
[DAWN] What the foreign minister has claimed ought to be unremarkable and uncontested. Groups such as the Haqqani network and Lashkar-e-Taiba...the Army of the Pure,an Ahl-e-Hadith terror organization founded by Hafiz Saeed. LeT masquerades behind the Jamaat-ud-Dawa facade within Pakistain and periodically blows things up and kills people in India. Despite the fact that it is banned, always an interesting concept in Pakistain, the organization remains an blatant tool and perhaps an arm of the ISI... are no allies of this country and their leaders have agendas that are inimical to the rule of law, constitutionality and democracy in Pakistain. There cannot and should not be space for such groups to operate, either clandestinely or openly, in Pakistain and the state has no business forfeiting the rights and future of the Pak people in the pursuit of some self-defeating strategic goals. What can be debated is the right approach to dismantling the remaining Lion of Islam networks and deradicalising Pak society. Fears of blowback are not unfounded and where peaceful means can be found, they should be thoroughly explored. Perhaps the government should consider widening the incipient debate to include parliament, the provinces and civil society. A more inclusive, tolerant Pakistain at peace with its neighbours is first and foremost a victory for the Pak people themselves. Bad choices stem from narrowly confined deliberations. All of Pakistain should be invited to debate the country’s future. Posted by: Fred 2017-09-30 |
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