ANTI-Pakistan propaganda by Indian lobbies is fully understandable but it is unfortunate that some domestic circles too continue to float conspiracy theories, which effectively amounts to strengthening the hands of the enemies of the country.
This tendency was quite visible during the Pakistan-India standoff when some unscrupulous elements tried to create confusion about memorable successes of our defence forces, which were otherwise also authenticated by international media through countless accounts of what transpired during those fateful days. The same pattern is witnessed now again vis-à-vis Trump-Munir unprecedented meeting, which is surely a master stroke in diplomacy.
Personal and public conduct of the Army Chief Field Marshall Syed Asim Munir is before the nation and based on that one can safely say it is next to impossible that the COAS will make any compromise on national interests. He did not wait for a moment in deciding to give a befitting response when the country’s sovereignty and security were threatened by naked aggression of India. It was this robust response marked by the highest degree of professionalism and courage that brought him laurels not only in Pakistan but also in defence circles of the world. The nation acknowledged his acumen by awarding him the coveted rank of Field Marshal and Trump-Munir luncheon offers a glimpse of the global recognition of his professional conduct. In this backdrop, the unusual White House meeting is seen by all patriotic people as a welcome development that is expected to give a new and positive angle to bilateral relations. However, baffled by this surprised diplomatic engagement, Indian lobbies became active immediately in a bid to throw spanners in the works. In the ensuing social media campaign, these lobbies and some circles in Pakistan floated instant false theories as if they were there at the White House observing the two-hour interaction between the US President and Pakistan Army Chief. In a visible effort to discredit Pakistan, which has a principled and clear stand on the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, it is being propagated that the United States sought logistic support from Pakistan for its possible attack on Iran and that the COAS agreed to it. As part of the conspiracy to lend credibility to such allegations, it was claimed that in return the US President has offered mediation on Kashmir besides trade incentives. The propaganda is motivated by sinister designs to sow seeds of communal hatred and tension in Pakistan and spoil its relations with Iran. This conspiracy is understandable given the fact that Pakistan is almost the only country effectively expressing solidarity with Iran and extending staunch diplomatic support at the UN and other foras. The fallacy of the allegation is also evident from the fact that the United States has its bases and assets in some Middle-East countries including aircraft carriers and doesn’t need bases in Pakistan for any action against Iran, especially when it also has renewed military presence in neighbouring Afghanistan. Pakistan Foreign Office and Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) have done well by putting the contents of the White House talks in proper perspective. According to ISPR, the two sides exchanged views in detail on the prevailing tensions between Iran and Israel, with both leaders emphasizing the importance of resolution of the conflict. Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif also pointed out that the way international and regional issues came under discussion reflected Pakistan’s importance. “Pakistan’s importance to help resolve issues has been highlighted and accepted,” he added. The Foreign Office also laid to rest malicious speculations about the Trump-Munir meeting by reiterating Pakistan’s longstanding position on the issue. Its spokesperson also reaffirmed that Pakistan “stood in resolute solidarity with the people of Iran” and strongly denounced Israel’s “blatant provocations”, warning that these actions pose a serious threat to peace and stability in the region and beyond. Frustration of the dejected people has no bounds due to the historic nature of the White House talks but they must differentiate between national interests and petty political interests.
