Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Pakistan’s admission

This refers to the report that Pakistan has, for the first time, acknowledged that it created and nurtured militant groups for tactical objectives (July 9). Although the matter was an open secret, President Asif Ali Zardari’s admission of it in a meeting with a group of retired civil servants points to a change in the mindset of the political establishment. Mr. Zardari deserves to be lauded for the dignified confession, which is belated but timely. One hopes it will eventually lead to action against militancy.

B. Harish,

Mangalore

H.R. Bapu Satyanarayana,

Mysore

The whole world knows that Pakistan is the epicentre of terrorism. It breeds terrorists, who fan out to different countries to carry out their nefarious acts. Pervez Musharraf admitted to it when he gave an assurance that he would rein in the militants operating from Pakistan. Why, then, has Islamabad always denied the existence of terrorist infrastructure on its soil? Successive governments — military and civilian — have been soft on terror outfits for fear of perceived backlash. Terrorist modules are so deeply entrenched in Pakistan that unless drastic steps are taken, no positive result can be achieved.

H.P. Murali,

Bangalore

That Islamabad has used jihadist groups for furthering its strategic goals in Kashmir and Afghanistan is an open secret. What is important is that the candid admission has come, for the first time, from the highest level — President Zardari who himself has been at the receiving end of terror. His acknowledgement is a vindication of India’s stand that Pakistan breeds terrorism. However, a mere acknowledgement will not suffice. Pakistan should take sincere and firm steps to root out terrorism from its soil.

Manoj Ratan Chothe,

New Delhi

The admission by Mr. Zardari marks a significant development in the history of India-Pakistan relations. But the admission and the realisation that Islamabad has created a Frankenstein monster cannot diminish the threat the two countries are exposed to. Having understood the consequences of sheltering extremist groups, Pakistan should put down terror with an iron hand.

A.L. Narayana,

Visakhapatnam

Mr. Zardari’s admission that Pakistan created and nurtured militant groups for short-term tactical objectives is shocking. In hindsight, it has rendered all the diplomatic talks with it futile. Like Pakistan, any country that encourages violence and terror in the name of tactical policy will end up harming itself in the long run.

T.M. Senapathi,

Chennai

Inamdar Ramachandra,

Bangalore

Jeyshree Jayaraman,

Mangalore

B.S. Raghavendra Rao,

Bangalore

C. Petson Peter,

Kochi

C.V. Venkateswaran,

Coimbatore

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