‘Naya Pak must show naya action on terror’

India on Saturday dismissed Pakistan’s claim of acting against terrorists and terror organisations in its territory, stating that the neighbouring country was just replaying the same script that had played out in the past in the aftermath of the cross-border terror attacks launched from its territory.

India’s envoy to Pakistan, Ajay Bisaria, and his Pakistan counterpart, Sohail Mahmood, on Saturday returned to Islamabad and New Delhi respectively, signalling a semblance of thaw after more than three weeks of escalating tension following the Pulwama attack.

They were called back to New Delhi and Islamabad “for consultation” by the respective governments soon after the terror attack, which was carried out by the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM).

New Delhi, however, made it clear that India’s armed forces would continue to “maintain strict vigil” and would “remain determined in the defence of the nation and its citizens” against any act of aggression by Pakistan.

“If Pakistan claims to be a Naya Pakistan (New Pakistan) with Nayi Soch (New Thoughts), it should show Naya Action (New Action) against terrorist groups and terror infrastructure on its soil and end cross border terrorism in support of its claims,” Raveesh Kumar, spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) told journalists in New Delhi. He was apparently referring to claim by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan that a new Pakistan had been born after his government had taken over in August 2018.

Same script

Imran Khan’s government launched a crackdown on some proscribed organizations, mostly terror outfits under United Nations’ sanctions. The federal and provincial authorities also took over control of several seminaries, which were run by charity organisations affiliated to the terrorist organisations placed under global sanctions.

The Pakistan government also claimed to have arrested a large number of individuals across the country.

“We are seeing the same script that has been played out earlier after the terrorist attacks on our Parliament in December 2001, the Mumbai terrorist attack in November 2008 and the attack on Pathankot airbase in January 2016,” said Kumar.

‘Action only on paper’

He said the Pakistan government claimed to have proscribed groups and individuals, but its action was only on paper.

“Actually, terrorist groups and individuals continue their activities without hindrance. Pakistan has not shown any serious intent to address
the legitimate concerns of India and the global community,” the MEA spokesperson said.

He pointed out that Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and former President Pervez Musharraf had acknowledged the presence of the Jaish-e-Mohammed in Pakistan in recent interviews to media organisations. But Pakistan army spokesperson Maj Gen Ashif Ghafoor openly denied the presence of the outfit in Pakistan in another media interview.

“This statement is a sufficient proof that Pakistan still remains in a state of denial.”