The photo to the left shows stormy clouds gathering over Islamabad on December 16, 2008.
Today, which is just six days later from when this photo was taken, I believe there is another storm brewing in Islamabad on its political and foreign relations front. Not withstanding the conspiracy theories still circling around in Pakistan, there is growing consensus in the rest of the world that Pak-based elements were behind Mumbai attacks. Gordon Brown served a notice to Pakistan during his visit and it seems that the U.S. agrees. Moreover the steps Pakistan has taken so far haven’t been very convincing. India has called a meeting of its envoys throughout the world to discuss next steps. The last time such a meeting was called was before the 1971 war. This has led the U.S to send Adm. Mullen back to Pakistan for a second time in as many weeks. Meanwhile Pakistan high commission in India has confirmed that it has received a letter from Ajmal Kasab.
Here is an article from Dawn and the Washington Post Editorial on this very issue:
(i) The daily Dawn
(ii) The Washington Post
The last time Pakistan was so isolated diplomatically against India was during the aftermath of Kargil.
In another development Pakistan Airforce suspended commercial flights in major Pakistani cities today and did a low altitude fly-by as part of their increased vigil.
One can only hope that our leaders especially the security establishment can comprehend the gravity of the situation and take steps in the right direction.
Photo Credits: Title photo is courtesy of Abid Zia at Associated Press of Pakistan.
Who is responsible for the attacks? Pakistan because of some nutcases who are NOT government supported or government backed? How do we even know that they are Pakistanis? Is there any credible proof? Blackberry carrying, peddle boat using terrorists? 2-3 terrorists holding up each building and fighting for days?
OR
Is it India who’s leaders and forces are not capable of protecting their own country and thus want to shift the blame to Pakistan?
Relax…this is just pre-election heat India is generating. The only problem is if extremists and nutcases like Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi will do something suicidal to keep their washed up political careers alive.
Pakistan has really acted with maturity this time around. India is the major cause of tension in South Asia. Why do you think ALL of India’s neighbours have problems with India? India should be dealt with once and for all.
We Pakistanis should ONLY fear Allah and nobody else. We have our interests and our territory to guard and we should do that. No ifs or buts.
Pakistan Zindabad!
I agree with Taimr. The India tension is real but even this was triggered by these cursed extremists. It is really the hellish War on Terror that is to blame. We get hit by our so called “freinds” through drone, through enemies from India and through the mullahs within Pakistan, who have been killing more Pakistanis than everyone else combined.
Jaeen tou jaeen kahan!
As-salaam alaikum,
It’s very disingenuous for the author to mention “the Washington Post”: a mouthpiece of the US government. These “editorials” in WP are meant to create scenarios that actually don’t really exist (i.e. Pakistan isolated…says who…India/America/England?)
This “Mumbai incident” is a well played inside job to isolate and target Pakistan.
Looking at the US or UK for help or understanding is not just wrong….it’s criminal. What did these two countries do to Iraq and Afghanistan? InShahAllah Pakistan will be fine.
I think the real clouds over Pakistan and the real threat to Pakistan are the Taliban extremist murders. They have killed hundreds of Pakistanis and are also behind this rise of tension with India.
Even if the Mumbai attacks were planned by independent actors in Pakistan, it does not make Pakistanis guilty or justify Indian attacks on the country. Pakistan needs to stand united and firm. Giving in now will only encourage India to play games with our country.