With India upping the diplomatic offensive against Pakistan, the national media in India’s disturbed western neighbour has also escalated its attacks on its own government and security establishment over its failure to against act against terror elements operating from its territory.
International isolation "appears to be looming over" Pakistan all thanks to its inaction against terrorism, The Nation wrote today in a hard-hitting editorial.
The government needs to indiscriminately crack down on all non-state terror actors, and back its words with action, it said. It cited the fact that even China, a close ally of Pakistan, had expressed concern about the inaction against terrorists, to emphasise that action must be taken against terrorists, said the editorial in the daily considered close to the Pakistani establishment.
"Modi's statement shows just how committed New Delhi is when it comes to isolating Pakistan globally. From canceling the SAARC summit to boycotting Pakistani artistes, the Modi regime is hell-bent on weakening Pakistan at every international forum... When and if isolated, the impact would be drastic, and Pakistan would never want that," said the editorial.
The newspaper lambasted the Pakistani government and security agencies, calling them on to ‘have the decency to admit that Pakistan still isn't 100 per cent sure which non-state actor is good or bad.’
"The current political scenario calls for Pakistan to clearly define its policies to its allies; not just define but act on them as well. Pakistan has to realise that what really is in its national interest is the complete elimination of nefarious elements, without any discrimination; the civil and military brass should at least have the decency to admit that Pakistan still isn't 100 per cent sure which non-state actor is good or bad," the editorial in the Pakistani newspaper said.
Citing the example of a ruling party lawmaker who demanded action against non-state actors, the editorial asked Pakistan to clearly define its policies, and act on them.
The editorial also questioned government's move to put the Dawn reporter's name on Exit Control List, who published a story over clash between civilian government and military stating the latter's impeding efforts to crack down on terror.
"Instead of clarifying its stance on non-state actors, however, the federal government placed the name of the reporter of the story, Cyril Almeida, on Exit Control List...The decision to ban him (a decision that's been since revoked ) reflects the immaturity on part of the federal government, and Almeida's story was never, as both the civil and military brass claim, a 'threat to national security'", said the editorial.
