The real face of Pakistan

THE real face of Pakistan is now before the whole world to see. Today the world knows it is a terrorist country, and the ISI a terrorist organisation. Pakistan has set a dangerous example for other countries to follow — that of the nexus between the government of a country and its terrorist organisations to find solutions to its bilateral problems with other countries. The repercussions of this misadventure of Pakistan will be deadly to the whole world. The international community has to wake up immediately and contain Pakistan, which has lost all sense of direction.

India should never trust it, come what may. It is now plainly evident that Pakistan is not a trustworthy country. It is a country with no morals, values, respect for agreement between two sovereign nations or, for that matter, for human life. It knows only the language of blackmail and terrorism.

India should learn to deal with Pakistan in Pakistan’s language. Pakistan does not want any friendship with us. It is India that went on and on, and we got back stabbed. Now the first move must come from that side. But even if it did we Indians may not consider reciprocating it in future for what it has done to us.

India should learn Pakistan’s foxy ways. It is now linking the Kargil intrusion to the Kashmir issue and trying to deviate the international attention from the shameless, daring and naked aggression of Kargil and violation of the Line of Control. India should be very careful and not let Pakistan confuse issues and complicate the situation, for it is very cunning and conniving. We should be very strong. There should be no compromises. No face-saving formulas for coward Pakistan. No safe passage for intruders. They should go by themselves either dead or alive. No concession regarding Kashmir. They will not get a centimetre of land. Never.

Do not let Pakistan use the history of the UN resolution to confuse the issue. The Simla Pact and the Lahore Declaration will only be the base for discussion, and complete restoration of the LoC. India should work hard on the diplomatic and media fronts consistently, as never before, to maintain and give the true and factual picture of Kargil to the world at large so that Pakistan, an evil expert in propaganda, fails to shift the focus on itself by devious ways.

Also, India must put pressure on Western countries to block all further loans and grants to this terrorist country to contain its aggression.

MUFAHIDA YOUNUS KHAN
Ajman (UAE)
(Received in response to the Internet edition.)

Writings on Kargil

In “World In Focus” (The Tribune, July 2) Mr M.S.N. Menon writes: “Writing on Kargil, the BBC correspondent in India says that it is India which wants war, not Pakistan. Pakistan wants peace, we are told” This is highlighted by your paper in a box within the article. No, Sir, No, Mr Menon. None of the BBC correspondents in India has written or broadcast any such thing.

I understand it is Mr Menon’s interpretation of a remark attributed to a BBC presenter in London in another article in another newspaper. The Tribune and its columnists are, of course, perfectly entitled to comment on the BBC and its coverage of the present conflict, but we would urge you to get the facts straight. We are trying to in reporting on Kargil, like everything else.

MIKE WOOLDRIDGE,
BBC South Asia Correspondent
New Delhi

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Experts on warfare

It is heartening to find so many experts on Kargil, now out of uniform. While they were in uniform their expertise was never known. What was known was that some of them, when posted at Kargil moved heaven and earth and got out within months. Now they are telling us what needs to be done. Some hypocrisy, this!

Lt.-Col J. S. SANDHU (retd)
Chandigarh

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Unfair to Himachal

The editorial “Himachal Annual Plan” (July 2) echoed the injured sentiments of the Himachalis at large viz-a-viz the niggardly increase (just 10 per cent in the state’s Annual Plan outlay for 1999-2000. No doubt, the increase in the Plan outlay is too meagre to keep pace with the overall rise in the prices. A cruel joke, bluntly speaking!

The people’s sense of hurt over the matter becomes all the more acute, looking at the fact that several of the state’s long-standing genuine demands — a share in the BBMB power projects as stipulated in the Punjab Reorganisation Act, 1966, 12 per cent free power in all the hydro-electric projects located in the state a 7.5 per cent share in the Union Territory of Chandigarh, special compensation in lieu of preserving the country’s forest wealth, etc — have been hanging fire for years.

The question of questions: why this grave injustice with the hapless state? Is it so because the people of the state happen to be gentle and peace-loving, pray?

TARA CHAND
Ambota (Una)

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Grim power scenario

An acute power shortage coupled with the scarcity of water over the past few months in Mohyal Colony, near Sector 31, Gurgaon, speaks volumes about the grim scenario and the apathy of the authorities concerned. Residents of this area have been worst hit during this summer.

Despite various requests followed by personal meetings of residents from time to time registering serious concern over the issue and repeatedly drawing the attention of the officials concerned for the replacement of the currently installed cables with cables of heavy gauge and the subsequent assurance given by the officials, no step seems to have been taken in this direction. This has further resulted in an acute water shortage in this area.

Another cause of discontentment and the factors which have given rise to this situation are the constant running of motors/booster pumps by a major segment of residents who have deprived others of their fair share of water. While the grievance of the residents is justified and it is incumbent upon the authorities to initiate prompt steps to find a permanent solution to the problem, it will be in the interest of all concerned that till the conditions really improve, motors/booster pumps are not used.

VARINDER BALI
Gurgaon

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Era of legends?

The editorial “A missed opportunity” (June 29) makes one believe that courtesy the BJP we have started living in an era of legends. As the king of Rome was fiddling when Rome was burning, India is fighting a fierce battle in Kargil and its soldiers are sacrificing their lives, our leaders are having their sweet sojourns and are playing politics with an eye on the general election.

When September-October comes I think we shall land into Hamelin, the land of the pied piper who played his tune on the pipe and all the children of Hamelin followed him to the river. Similarly, our Prime Minister and his companions will play enchanting tunes and we all voters will follow them like the innocent children of Hamelin.

TIRATH GARG
Ferozepur City