Sikandar Noorani
IT is really a difficult task to settle any matter or dispute in a peaceful manner with a hostile neighbour like India. Long history of New Delhi’s variety of disputes with neighbouring countries provides undeniable basis for this bitter conclusion. The task of dealing with the hostile neighbour turns more complex for a country like Pakistan which shares an intriguing past of being part of a single state before the partition in 1947. It is understandable that a common grudge against Muslim dominance in pre-British Raj era and subsequent failure in establishing a tight grip over the Muslims in the garb of democracy at the time of subcontinent’s independence left permanent irk among the extremist ultra-violent Hindu quarters.
In simple words, stabilized and prosperous Pakistan is not acceptable to New Delhi. Though, BJP is using anti-Pakistan rhetoric very systematically to overcharge the sentiments of its fanatic voters but a secular party like Congress too had no different policy once compared with ruling Hindutva Brigade. Decades long blood soaked history of Indian atrocities in Kashmir and frequent ceasefire violations at LoC are the understandable reflection of the violent mindset ruling New Delhi. Indo-China stand-off in Ladakh area at the LAC must be viewed in the broader regional context unfolding beyond a routine bilateral unarmed border skirmish. Indian offensive posturing against China means nothing but mere appeasement of its strategic partner US.
Expeditious completion of CPEC doesn’t fit into any future designs of New Delhi and Washington. A few weeks back Mike Pompeo and Mark Esper held dialogues with respective counterparts during visit of India. There should be no doubt that containment of China was the sole purpose of 2+2 Indo-US dialogues. Prior to this, during Quad countries conference held at Tokyo, Mike Pompeo urged Asian countries to form a formidable regional alliance against rising influence of China. Despite Beijing’s strong worded objections, US vigorously approaching and enabling Taiwan to entangle China at regional front. This ultra-provocative stance against China provides enough grounds to Pakistan to rehash the fresh threat matrix.
Persistent lawlessness, political chaos, economic deterioration and disharmonious state institutions are the real indicators of destabilization. In order to push Pakistan in the dark pits of chaos and instability, Indian Establishment-influenced media is striving hard to exploit various developments shaping up on internal front. Public gatherings of PDM in Gujranwala, Karachi and Quetta provided enough exploitable content to Indian media on many accounts. Unwise rhetoric adopted by UK-based PML-N leader against state institutions in two public gatherings was the unexpected gift for ever ready Indian media. Many Indian papers and periodicals, known for having deep links with deep state, left no stone unturned in venting their hatred against Pak defence forces and intelligence agencies. International media timely noticed that fake news and rumours were being extensively proliferated by Indian media against Pakistan to spread wider chaos.
Photo shopped old pictures of public processions were circulated with sensational fake news of civil war in Karachi between defence forces and rebellious crowd. Poorly crafted fakeness of the fabricated stuff and vigour on part of Indian media completely exposed the ultimate motive of anti-Pakistan propaganda campaign. Alongside this nefarious drive, Indian media launched another targeted campaign to spoil the anniversary of Kartarpur Corridor by fabricating news about controversy over control and administrative affairs of Gurdwara. Anti-Pak campaigning in Indian media has another permanent feature of cross border terrorism rhetoric. TV channels and papers frequently publish unverified news provided by Indian agencies projecting Pakistan as a terror sponsor rogue state. Indian state sponsored terrorism and brutalities in Kashmir are being shrouded with false allegations of terrorism. Since New Delhi has never tried to hide its ill intentions, therefore it becomes so easy to comprehend that a well thought-out plan is being pursued to tarnish the image of Pakistan and damage the national cohesion. There prevails a deep agreement between Indian deep state and media over Pakistan. Whenever any unusual development shapes up in Pakistan, irrespective of volume and impact, it comes in spotlight of Indian media which projects the occurrence with multiplied over-exaggeration of negativity.
Let’s take the example of recent sit-in at Rawalpindi by a religious party in protest against rising tendency of blasphemy in France. Though, the sit-in ended as a result of talks between the government representatives and the protestors but Indian media kept propagating the Pak society as intolerant and extremist. During last few weeks, Indian diplomats tried many a times to target Pakistan on the matter of cross-border terrorism. Level and frequency Pakistan’s response to Indian orchestrated campaigning needs to be raised from a routine affair to the matter most urgent. Indian desperation to establish monopoly over entire region through violence, manipulation and coercion has pushed this over-populated country on the path of military misadventures and arms race. Pakistan, despite being flag bearer of peace, has no other option but to maintain minimum credible response capability in all domains against a fanatic neighbour like India. Undeniably, adversary has initiated a major propaganda war against Pakistan on multiple fronts.
—The writer is a freelancer who often contributes in national newspapers.
