Summary Govt should keep public diplomacy away from covert diplomacy, says security analyst Wajahat Khan
LAHORE: (Web Desk, Dunya News) – Revered security analyst Wajahat Saeed Khan has on Saturday said that Pakistan’s position has been redeemed over the Kashmir issue during the last few weeks and India, on the other hand, has been on the receiving end diplomatically. He said that the government should now play its cards with great care and keep the public posturing and diplomacy apart, reported Dunya News.
Talking to Ajmal Jami on Dunya Special, Wajahat Khan said that Pakistan government called upon Dr. Maleeha Lodhi, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), and made it clear that Pakistan was going to launch a diplomatic offensive over Kashmir issue. He said that the move could send alarm bells ringing in India as they would also start preparing a response to such an offensive, if launched.
Responding to a question over former RAW chief AS Dulat’s claim that the Indian intelligence agency bought Hurriyat leaders in Kashmir, Wajahat Khan said that the Kashmir movement has gained momentum during the last few months and Indian government seems out of sorts. He said that India is feeling pressure on the streets of Srinagar. “Indian establishment seems under pressure. When pressure was applied over Kashmir issue, Indian ex officials came forward saying they tried to buy the Hurriyat leaders. Now that the British government has applied pressure over MQM issue, Dulat claims Altaf is a ‘guest of MI-6’. They are acting like they don’t know what to do. They have brought their government under pressure”, he said.
Talking on this occasion, Hurriyat leader Yaseen Malik’s wife Mishal Malik completely rejected the claim by former RAW chief. “Why are they spending billions of rupees on their army in Kashmir if they can simply buy out the Hurriyat leaders? Hurriyat leaders and workers have laid their lives for the Kashmir cause. We cannot be bought”, she said.
Wajahat Khan said that Pakistan’s civil-military leadership is right on the money on Kashmir issue. He said that there was some speculation previously but it is quite clear now that it is India who is under pressure and Pakistan has played the situation well enough. He emphasized on keeping the cards close to chest though.
