Compulsive detractors of Pakistan

Some politicians, analysts, commentriat and a few English dailies denigrate Pakistan and often endorse India’s stance and version on various issues including terror attacks in India. Presenting skewed assessment of the Year-2018, monthly magazines ‘Newsline’ and ‘Herald’ edition of January 2019, strongly criticized PTI regime for being benefitted by the ‘deep state’. Centerpiece of the Year-2018 is said to be revolving around the press and pressing concerns; corrupt politicians and clean chits; rulings and over-rulings; elections and selection; grand scams and much more. The author stated that “the dream of ‘Naya Pakistan’ seemed to be dissipating. Austerity and anti-corruption drive that have taken priority will not boost the dwindling economy marked by turbulent loans, grants, deferred payments, skyrocketing dollar, spiraling inflation, and unemployment. Year-2018 will be remembered for witnessing power games and judicial activism. Odds against the PML-N and PPP are likely to rise in 2019.”
Questions were raised despite the fact that government had genuinely taken action against extremists. For instance it was stated that “the arrest of TLP leaders was carelessly done, whereof Deobandi elements are now joining hands with Braelvi radicals. No action has been taken against hate speech, terror funding, banned groups, but actions against INGOs, and crackdown on social media have remained the priorities. While religious minorities are more obvious targets, Pakistan continues to deny religious freedom to secular and humanist Muslims. PTI’s electoral fortunes benefited from the ‘deep state’ just as Nawaz Sharif was created by the ‘deep state.’ Khadim Hussain Rizvi is credited for introducing the TLP’s highly destabilizing force into Pakistan’s already not-so-stable polity. Malik Riaz’ rise to the top is because of his talent for making friends in the right echelons of power. He is embodiment of nexus between the state institutions, political power, big business and criminality in Pakistan.
Irresponsible comments by the politicians have brought ignominy to Pakistan. While the establishment exercised restraint on former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s campaign against the Army and Judiciary, he felt emboldened and went so far as to sacrifice national interest. He conveyed an impression to the world that he was the last wall standing between terror-sponsoring establishment and free world. It gave to India a tremendous leverage on Mumbai attacks and endorsed Indian version. Pakistan may continue denying it and defending it, but Nawaz Sharif did something Indian RAW was not able to do in a decade. The timing was crucial when FATF sword was hanging on Pakistan’s head, it had become almost impossible to present defence against the grey list. Furthermore, the interview had come at a time when PTM, Achakzai, RAW, NDS had launched a very sophisticated and sustained assault on Pakistan.
India’s Lawyer Harish Salve, while presenting Kulbhushan’s case in International Court of Justice, said: “Pakistan is used a safe haven by UN proscribed terrorist entities and individuals like Dawood Ibrahim.Prominent Pakistani newspaper Dawn carried Nawaz Sharif’s interview in which he acknowledged Pakistan’s role in 26/11?” On could infer from his interview with Dawn’s Cyril Almeida that effort was made to malign the military by implying that the government wanted to take action against non-state actors but establishment was the hurdle. In his interview he had stated: “Militant organisations are active. Call them non-state actors, should we allow them to cross the border and kill 150 people in Mumbai? Explain it to me. Why can’t we complete the trial?” One can infer from his remarks in the form of question that establishment allowed the terrorists to cross the border and kill 150 people. Electronic and print media in India and even in the West had considered it a confession by former PM of Pakistan.