Pakistan’s doublespeak on investigations into the Mumbai terror attacks continues. As Islamabad searches for proof, political parties root for Jamaat leader - Hafeez Saeed.
In reply to the external affairs minister Pranab Mukherjee who made it very clear that all options were open before New Delhi - including the option to strike, across the border, Pakistan continues to diswown the terror attack.
All that Islamabad has said in its defence is that it is ready to face any aggression and that its armies are ready to defend the country, and that Pakistan was not trying to escalate tension.
Embattled Pakistan Prime Minister Gilani , who is under immense pressure has come out in the open and said that in this time of need, those outside the parliament, like Imran Khan, are also supporting him and are united in the cause of the country.
Pakistani Air Force conducts air exercises
The Pakistani air force conducted an exercise on Monday causing delay to two civilian flights - according to an airline official as tension simmers.
The special exercises caused delay to at least two flights at the airport in the eastern city of Lahore, near the Indian border. An air force spokesman declined to comment when asked about an exercise saying only that Pakistan last week summoned a senior Indian diplomat in Islamabad to protest against recent alleged airspace violations by Indian warplanes.
Air Commodore Humayun Viqar Zephyr, Spokesperson, Pakistan AirForce, the Spokesperson of the Pakistan airforce, has said that keeping the current situation in Pakistan, airspace security has been stepped up in the country
‘No plan to attack Pakistan’
And, fear in Pakistan is quite evident from the nature of questions that put to the Indian Deputy High Commissioner on the sidelines of a SAARC summit.
Reporter: Is India asking for access to areas where they suspect terrorist camps. Is there a plan by India to attack those territories?
India Deputy HC to Pak: There is no such plan.
Reporter: Is there a possibility of war? Since yesterday there have been very ‘hot’ statements from both sides. Even Sonia Gandhi said India has the capability to give an appropriate reply to Pakistan?
Indian Deputy HC to Pak: Our leaders have made it very clear that war is not a solution. Our government made this very clear on the floor of the Parliament last week.
Pak defence min says Pak has potention to defend itself
Pakistan Defence minister, Ahmad Mukhtar Chaudhry has said that the defence of Pakistan was in strong hands and warned if India tried to thrust war, then the Armed Forces of Pakistan have all the potential and right to defend.
Even the newspapers reflect the defiance similar to the one being expressed by the Pakistani government.
“The Dawn” in one of their opinion pieces with the heading ‘Good Fences, Good Neighbours’ says, “Pakistan is caught between two conflicts, and the long-term solution lies in defining and gaining control over our borders.”
Another top daily - “The News” has one of its editorials that say under the header ‘Time For Restraint’ - “There are unsavoury and rather base noises to carpet-bomb Pakistan. The consequences are obvious to any reader of the situation, but more pertinently even India may not carry enough resilience to survive those.”
Pak political parties rally against JuD ban
Political parties in Islamabad rallied in support of the Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), the front organisation of the Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and called for the lifting of sanctions imposed on the group by the UN Security Council, as well as ending all negotiations with India.
The parties claimed the sanctions were imposed by the world body under pressure from the US and India. They also alleged the UN acted with “undue and unusual haste” and made no attempt to find out the Jamaat’s point of view.
The meeting was attended by leaders of the Jamaat-e-Islami as well as by Imran Khan’s Tehrik-e-Insaf.
A resolution adopted by the parties asked the Pakistan government to reopen all Jamaat-ud-Dawa offices, which they called a charitable trust.
“The conference demands that the government reopen all of Jamaat-ud-Dawa’s offices and remove the ban on its relief activities and projects forthwith,” the resolution said.
Despite an international sanction against the Jamaat-ud-Dawa, there has been no ground action to seal the accounts of the Jamaat-ud-Dawa. TIMES NOW has learnt that the JuD has been able to transfer most of the money in its accounts.
The Jamaat was banned by the UN after there was pressure by New Delhi.
Parties reiterate Saeed’s innocence
The resolution adopted by the Pakistani political parties also reiterated the innocence of Hafeez Saeed the Lashkar Chief who was placed under house arrest after India intensified the Pressure on Pakistan.
They described Saeed as “an extremely popular leader of
Pakistan” and a “peaceful and highly respected citizen”. Calling for the end of his detention, the resolution said Saeed should be allowed to give Friday sermons and address religious gatherings.
Senior journalist Salim Bhukhari speaking on the issue said that part of the defiance comes from the reality that Islamabad does not have too many options left.
Ayaz Amir, a columnist with “the Dawn” in Islamabad said that the situation is getting serious with India seeking support of 120 envoys.
Pak defiant despite US-India warning
Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Shah Mahmood Qureshi said Pakistan desires peace, but in the event of war, it is ready to defend itself. He also said, Pakistan was fully prepared to cooperate with India, but India should provide hard evidence. He also dismissed the Pak Prime Minister being under pressure to resign as mere rumours.
Amidst the Indo-Pak chill, India is keeping all its options open - not ruling out a strike on Pakistan. According to government sources, the use of force was not completely ruled out at the high level Defence Meet chaired held in the capital on Saturday (December 20) night.
( This post is from an independent writer. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not endorsed by APakistanNews.Com.)
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