Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s statement that terrorism remains one of the “foremost problems” faced by his country is being viewed by Indian diplomats as an attempt to play the victim card on the issue of terrorism. “The problem of terrorism that Shehbaz Sharif is referring to is, in fact, a problem that Pakistan itself has created. Terrorism is the problem of their own making,” diplomatic sources told The Daily Guardian.
In fact, condemning the attack on a patrol van in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, in which six police personnel were killed, Pakistan Prime Minister in a tweet said, “Let us make no mistake. Terrorism continues to be one of Pakistan’s foremost problems. Our armed forces and police have valiantly fought the scourge. No words are enough to condemn terrorists’ attack on a police van in Lakki Marwat. My thoughts and prayers are with bereaved families.”
Diplomats in India are of the view that whatever happened is no doubt a condemnable act, but the Sharif government should introspect why terror activities are growing in Pakistan and the region adjoining the country. “It is because of the fact that Pakistan always continued to support terror organisations, which is what emboldened the terrorists operating there, no matter which outfits they are from. Ultimately they are responsible for growing terror threat within their own country,” sources said. “What is more lamentable is that instead of taking some concrete action against terror outfits, Pakistan leadership plays victim card just to divert world focus from the real and core issue of terrorism being sponsored by Islamabad,” officials pointed out.
“The whole world knows about Pakistan’s role in supporting terrorism and no amount of denial can hide this truth,” says a diplomat. “Can anyone counter the fact that Pakistan has given safe have to maximum number of UN proscribed terrorists?” he asked. Shehbaz should talk about what action his government is taking to eradicate terrorists from Pakistan’s soil, but he is trying to highlight it as a problem that his country is facing, the sources argued. “Who is really behind this foremost problem (terrorism) that Sharif spoke about?” sources questioned.
The terror attack killing police personnel in one of Pakistan provinces has certainly drawn global community’s attention towards the fact that Islamabad’s fight against terrorism still leaves a lot to be desired. “It was in an attempt to divert the global attention that Sharif highlighted it as a big problem that Pakistan is facing. But Pakistan’s soft corner for terrorists is a well-known fact,” sources said.