Imran Khan in denial over Pulwama attacks - a waste of video tape and air time
An apparently doctored video, a 6-minute speech full of myths and blaming India (as usual) for the allegations circling his country — Imran Khan’s media “address” on the Pulwama terror attack seemed more for internal consumption within Pakistan than addressing the issue to the rest of the world.
This comes after over 40 CRPF personnel were killed in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama district on February 14. A terrorist rammed an explosive-laden Scorpio SUV into the bus carrying the CRPF personnel from Jammu to Srinagar. Terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed was quick to claim responsibility for the dastardly attack.
The attack is widely considered to be the worst in the history of militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.
Interestingly, Imran Khan’s video aired today was full of cuts and edits — 20 cuts in six minutes — leading us to ponder whether the video had to be vetted from Rawalpindi by the organisation that actually runs the country — the Pakistani Army. It is, otherwise, quite unnecessary for the video address of a prolific speaker like Imran Khan to be edited as much.
The short video had some tall myths.
From the claim that Pakistan had nothing to do with the Pulwama terror attack, to the assertion that 'Naya Pakistan' does not support terrorism, to the accusation that India has been blaming Pakistan without any evidence, Imran Khan totally appeased his electorate with the speech.
We are sure his Army must be pleased too.
Here are 5 statements by Pakistan’s Prime Minister that lead us to wonder when and where the lines between lies and truth blur:
1.). Pakistan has nothing to do with Pulwama terror attack
2.). Would gain nothing out of Pulwama-like attacks
3.). 'Naya Pakistan' doesn't support terrorism
4.). India should introspect over Kashmir
5.). Give us proof, we will act
Dear Mr Khan, no one had anything 'to gain' outright from the terror attack — be it Pulwama or 26/11. The very point of terrorism is to bleed to death by a thousand malicious cuts and that is something your nation is apparently perfecting now.
You ask "...we have fought a war against terrorism for 15 years, 70,000 Pakistanis have lost their lives, terrorism is receding, peace and stability are returning... what benefit would we get from it [the Pulwama attack]?"
We would like to know the same from you.
If Pakistan stands to gain nothing from Pulwama-like attacks, then why shelter those who have claimed the responsibility for the brutish attack?
You ask for proof? We have provided it time and again. This time, Jaish-e-Mohammad itself has claimed credit for the Pulwama attack.
"I guarantee you that we will take action - not because we are under pressure, but because they [any individuals found involved] are acting as enemies of Pakistan," you said.
The chief of the organisation, Masood Azhar, is sitting in Bahawalpur (perhaps smirking at your video). Out of curiosity, would you deny that Bahawalpur is a part of Pakistan?
New Pakistan did not want believe in "carrying terrorist attacks in other countries,” you claim. "I am telling you clearly, this is naya Pakistan. It is a new mindset, a new way of thinking. We believe that it is in our interest that our soil is not used for carrying out terrorist attacks in other countries, nor do we want outsiders to come and carry out terror attacks here. We desire stability," you go on to add.
We guffaw. We are actually kind of bored of hearing the same script in different words each time your country manages to “elect” a prime minister.
And you ask us to introspect? India has introspected enough, sir. We now demand action from you.
If not, we are always ready to act.