Picture : Twitter / ANI
That no civilian Prime Minister could complete a full term in office in Pakistan proves why democracy is so fragile or to say it bluntly a sham in Pakistan. The ouster of the PTI government of cricket superstar turned politician Imran Khan is the latest one in the country’s history .
Another regime under Shehbaz Sharif has now taken over after ousting Imran Khan led government in a acrimonious no trust vote . But will a regime change make difference to its ties with India? . Well it is highly unlikely. Soon after taking oath as Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif made his intent loud and clear .
Despite showing his desire to have peace with India , Sharif did not forget the issue that is obsession for whichever government that is is power in Islamabad – Kashmir. Sharif was upfront when he mentioned abrogation of Article 370 in Kashmir and alleged that the people in the Valley were “bleeding” and Pakistan will provide them with “diplomatic and moral support” besides raising the matter at every international fora. So just like the army which has a major say who becomes the Prime Minister In Pakistan, every Prime Minister hence must raise the Kashmir issue while in office . It is a norm in Pakistan.
India has all along reiterated the peaceful relations with Pakistan is possible only when it stops aiding and abetting terror outfits . Talks and Terror cannot go side by side . This was pointed out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his tweet to the new Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as he wrote, Congratulations to H. E. Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on his election as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. India desires peace and stability in a region free of terror, so that we can focus on our development challenges and ensure the well-being and prosperity of our people.
Congratulations to H. E. Mian Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on his election as the Prime Minister of Pakistan. India desires peace and stability in a region free of terror, so that we can focus on our development challenges and ensure the well-being and prosperity of our people.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 11, 2022
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, too had conveyed his good wishes to Pakistan’s new Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and urged him to rein in terror activities emanating from the neighbouring country’s soil. So the message is clear to Pakistan , stop supporting terror for peace with India . The ball is now in Pakistan’s court as to how they reach out to India. And for attaining peace with India , Pakistan has to act not issue diplomatic statements. Will they hand over the the dreaded underworld Don Dawood Ibrahim and Tiger Memon , the prime accused in the Mumbai 1993 serial blasts case, What about the mastermind of the 26/11 2008 Mumbai terror attacks Hafiz Saeed? to name a few remains to be seen . This will prove Pak’s sincerity in seeking peace.
India has often in United Nations exposed Pakistan’s support to terror groups and yet Pakistan continues to brazen it out . ”Member States are well aware that Pakistan has an established history of harbouring, aiding and actively supporting terrorists. This is a country which has been globally recognised as a sponsor of terrorism and holds the ignoble record of hosting the largest number of terrorists proscribed by the UN Security Council,” Counsellor in India’s Permanent Mission to the UN R. Madhu Sudan said. “So much so that most terrorist attacks around the world today have their origin, in some form or the other, in Pakistan,” he said.
With economy in tatters, a confused foreign policy , a shaky coalition with Bilawal Bhutto Zardari’s PPP , Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has tough task ahead how he does the balancing act . Further It remains to be seen how much Shehbaz acts on his own or will he be remote controlled by his elder brother former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in his stint as Prime Minister ? . Having ousted Imran Khan as united opposition the challenge for Shehbaz and Bilawal is to now give a stable government.
The gloves are off in Pakistan politics now and former Prime Minister Imran Khan has already sounded a warning to his rivals who plotted the downfall of his government. Addressing a massive rally, Khan reportedly said that he will never accept an imported government and protests in Pakistan are proof of what people want. “Those who had hatched the conspiracy were very happy that I was ousted from the government. I was not dangerous when I was part of the government, but I will be more dangerous now,” he said.
Imran and his many of his party men had resigned from the National assembly and a furious Khan said he will not sit in the assemblies with ‘thieves’. “The man who has 16 billion and 8 billion rupees of corruption cases, whoever selects and elects the Prime Minister can not be a big insult to the country. We are resigning from the National Assembly,” Imran Khan was quoted as saying by PTI’s official Twitter account. So as far as Pakistan politics is concerned one can surely say Picture Abhi Baki Hai.
