- Why does the world disregard our viewpoint?
The press conference addressed by the DG ISPR dealt with significant matters related to foreign affairs and domestic issues. The army spokesman repeated the all too familiar narrative to explain why Pak-US relations are under stress. What needs to be weighed up is why our narrative about terrorist networks remains unacceptable to the world at large. Also why our closest ally China did not support our narrative vis-a-vis terrorist outfits which were named in the BRICS resolution in September last and why it withdrew support to Pakistan’s plea regarding terror financing at the FATF meeting in February this year? The ISPR’s narrative might convince those who devised it but what is its utility if it is not accepted by our traditional friends and the closest ally?
Realistically speaking there is little hope of the offer of dialogue to India getting traction at a time when nobody knows which party or combination of parties is to rule Pakistan after two months. India too has to pass through elections next year. But even when there is willingness for talks, the perennial issue of Mumbai attacks and the familiar demands in this respect by successive Indian governments will be on the table. Will we stick to our usual narrative, which has failed to help break the ice?
Ideally speaking army should not be dragged into politics. In Pakistan’s peculiar situation it has been in politics under three military rulers, one in military uniform for nearly four years, the second for over a decade and the third one for about eight years. This naturally leads people to make surmises whenever there are civil-military tensions.
It would not be in the best national interest to bring the issue of media advice on TV shows. A more fruitful way would be to have a confidential session with media persons. The social media remains a problem all over the world but silencing it won’t help. Compare the BBC report on four Taliban commanders allegedly controlling Wana region and its version of why there was an attack on a PTM leader. The ISPR has to reconcile with an era where no place is out of media’s focus.
