PM Imran Khan calls spade a spade

On Saturday, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan expressed his disappointment over India’s cancellation of Pakistan-India foreign ministers’ meeting in New York on Twitter, describing the decision as arrogant and that Indian PM lacked vision. India had cancelled the meeting between Indian External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and her counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi, which was scheduled to be held in New York at UNGA sidelines. Spokesperson of External Affairs Ministry Raveesh Kumar cited the brutal killing of security personnel by Pakistan-based entities and the recent release of a series of postage stamps by glorifying Burhan Wani, what he called a terrorist and terrorism. He also launched a frontal attack on Pakistan and its premier, saying “the evil agenda of the neighbour has been exposed and the true face of the new Prime Minister of Pakistan, Imran Khan, has been revealed to the world in his first few months in office”.
On Thursday, Raveesh Kumar had said: “I can confirm that a meeting between External Affairs Minister & Pakistani foreign minister will take place on the sidelines of UNGA at a mutually convenient date and time.” But what prompted India to cancel the meeting, as Indian officials already knew about release of the postal stamps, and they had all along been accusing Pakistan of supporting the militants, then why Raveesh Kumar passed uncalled for remarks against Prime Minister of Pakistan Imran Khan. It is indeed continuity of India’s hate campaign against Pakistan, its leadership and institutions? Raveesh Kumar said: “While the killing of a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan happened this week, the stamps were released in July, although news of it reached India only in the past two days. The caption on the postage stamp carrying the photo of Wani read: “Burhan Wani (1994-2016) freedom icon”.
Shah Mehmood Qureshi expressed his disappointment at India’s announcement stating it was unfortunate that India did not give a positive response. India once again wasted an opportunity for peace. “The refusal of India shows the Indian government is facing internal pressure. It seems that India is already preparing for its elections due in the country next year.” Of course, the Congress had attacked the government for its decision to meet with Pakistan in New York, and welcomed Friday’s decision to call off the meeting. “Better late than never; and sometimes credit should also be given to us,” senior Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi said in New Delhi. Last month, Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari had said: “There will be no talks till terror from Pakistan stops, till the trial of the 26/11 perpetrators is not resumed, till Lakhvi is not put back in the prison, till Hafiz Saeed, who heads the Jamat-ud-Dawa, is not incarcerated.”
In fact, there is more to that. India is witnessing increased incidents of violence and killings related to communal violence, insurgencies and terrorism. India is frustrated over UN report in regard to atrocities on Kashmiris. However, such incidents are not covered by international media with the requisite sensitivity and impartiality, as it will expose security lapses, weaknesses and failures of the Indian government in curbing insurgent tendencies. There are scores of separatist movements and armed insurgencies in India, especially in northeastern states. Inhuman treatment meted out to the minorities is one of the reasons for disaffection, which knocks the bottom out of India’s pretence being secular. Mass conversions of Muslims and Christians minorities at the hands of extremist Hindu organization RSS further expose India’s secular facade. Sikhs are raising voice against Indian brutalities, and demand separate country for Sikhs.