MPs raise Pak-sponsored terrorism in Punjab with External Affair Minister S Jaishankar

The issue of massive loss of lives, totalling two lakh, due to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism in Punjab over several years, was here today taken up by a section of Members of Parliament (MPs) during the meeting of the consultative committee of Parliament on external affairs, headed by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

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According to sources, during the meeting, some members said sending drugs and narcotics to border states should also be considered "an act of war", just as terrorist acts.

They also called for more incentives to border states, especially to those districts that were badly affected by Pakistan's actions.

In fact, comparing the two border cities of India's Amritsar and Pakistan's Lahore, it was pointed out that due to incessant terror activities, the economic backbone of Punjab had been affected and people had migrated out of Amritsar due to which its population had decreased to 25 lakh.

In sharp contrast, Lahore, with a population of around one crore, had state- of-the-art infrastructure, whereas Amritsar lagged in high-class facilities owing to Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism, some MPs pointed out to Jaishankar.

According to sources, Jaishankar informed MPs that "something good" was likely to come out of India's decision to keep the Indus water treaty with Pakistan in abeyance post the Pahalgam terror attack.

He is learnt to have told the meeting that the outcome of the decision would be disclosed soon.

Sources, however, indicated that there were possibilities that Indus water could be diverted to states like Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh.

A section of members also expressed concern over the "negative" media coverage of Operation Sindoor and sought the regulation of media coverage of sensitive matters, sources said further.

They also informed Jaishankar that the Army's remarks on Golden Temple were "avoidable and unnecessary".

Also some members urged that the "glorification" of armed forces should be avoided.