With reference to "Pakistan arrests JeM chief Masood Azhar, seals offices" (January 14), the crackdown on the Jaish-e-Mohammad and arrest of its chief may give the impression of Pakistan acting in response to the Pathankot terror attack, but it is not of much importance for India. Azhar was also detained by the Pakistani authorities after the December 2001 Parliament attack, but was never formally charged.
However, since the Parliament and Mumbai terror attacks, the world community is united against terrorism and the countries patronising terrorists. The US, Pakistan's long-term ally, is persistently asking for action against terror groups operating in Pakistan. US Secretary of State John Kerry called up Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and asked for action on the Pathankot attack. Prime Minister Modi's out-of-the-box diplomacy and surprise Lahore stopover to meet Sharif, which earned worldwide praise and was welcomed even by political parties, media and the people of Pakistan, sent a strong message of India's sincerity for peace with its neighbour.
The problem is that even if Sharif is eager to take action against the terrorists, the real player is the army. The long-time patron of the anti-India terrorist groups in Pakistan would hardly act against them unless there are compulsions. If the US really wants Pakistan to act against terrorists, it should make the price of patronising terror unaffordable for the army by stopping all military aid.
M C Joshi Lucknow
Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:
The Editor, Business Standard
Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi 110 002
Fax: (011) 23720201
E-mail: letters@bsmail.in
All letters must have a postal address and telephone number
