India , an Existential Enemy
By Naveed Khan
San Jose , CA
The Taliban are a nuisance; however, they are not an existential threat to Pakistan. Once democracy and rule of law take hold in Pakistan the Taliban would just dissipate. Their message resonates as long as there is extreme injustice and people have limited opportunity to express themselves or affect changes. The 2008 elections once again proved that the people of Pakistan do not patronize organizations with extremist political dispensations. It is also clear that the people want change; they aspire for justice, security and better economic opportunities. The 2008 elections and the restoration of an independent judiciary are landmarks and defining moments in Pakistan’s history.
The Taliban and Nizam-e-Adl proponents were always present in the north west and that is all right as long they struggle for their ideological goals in a vigorous and peaceful manner. The reason they decided to turn that movement into an armed conflict is because they could see an opportunity as the PPP government was vacillating in making the changes that the people desired. There is little doubt that more changes are needed and I am certain that people would force those changes to enhance security and create a more equitable economic environment.
Those who are calling the Taliban an existential threat to Pakistan are in fact distracting the country from the real threat and it comes only from India. India has always taken advantage of internal strife to damage Pakistan. As the debate rages about the Taliban, people seem to be forgetting India’s protracted brutal and insidious role in the 1971 War to split Pakistan. Most recently, it has been fraternizing with anti-Pakistan elements in Afghanistan to foment trouble in Balochistan and the Frontier Province.
Since the mid-1990s India has been building dams on every river that brings water to Pakistan from the mountains, which indisputably serves as the lifeblood for Pakistan. India has increased its oppression of the Kashmiri people which hurts the very psyche of Pakistani people.
Why is India always providing a platform to personalities who are rabidly anti-Pakistan? Just look at what India is doing along the border with Afghanistan. It has stationed hundreds of Indian personnel there under the guise of consulate services to Afghanistan. These India nationals are providing material and logistic support to anti-Pakistan elements.
One could write volumes about India’s nefarious motives and its hostility towards Pakistan. The important fact here is that some very naïve and insincere people are trying to project India as Pakistan’s friend. The USA is complicit in this effort. The unholy alliance between India, USA and Israel to dominate global politics is indeed a grave and emerging existential threat to Pakistan. The elements within Pakistan must see the real face of India: it is not what they want it to be. The Indians have never accepted Pakistan’s creation and they are taking all steps and laying the foundation of mortally wounding Pakistan.
