Unabating terror

Since the all-powerful military in Pakistan appears intent to perpetuate terrorism against India, and the civilian government is in no position to differ, India should keep its guards on

- PRABHU DAYAL

Addressing an election rally on September 8 in Jammu and Kashmir, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that India is ready to start a dialogue with Pakistan if it stops supporting terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. The question arises: can Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif take the initiative to end the policy of sponsoring terrorism and start talks with India? Sadly, Pakistan is not a democracy where the elected government decides foreign policy. Rather, Pakistan is run by a 'Deep State' which is an unelected authority, and which wields control over all important issues. The Deep State comprises the army and its intelligence wing, the ISI. The army is the final arbiter in politics and perhaps everything else.

We have repeatedly witnessed how civilian authority has been systematically humiliated, crushed and demoralised in Pakistan. Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto tried to exert himself but he was overthrown and later hanged by Gen. Zia ul Haq. Nawaz Sharif stood up to Gen. Musharraf but he was overthrown in a military coup and placed under arrest. Later on, he had to go into exile. More recently, Imran Khan tried to stand up to the Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir but he was summarily overthrown and is still languishing in prison.