Pakistan Army is bent on dashing peace hopes
Pakistan Army is not aiding the cause of improved relations of its country with India by its repeated violation of the ceasefire agreement along the line of Control. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had taken the first step towards enhanced ties by inviting Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to his swearing-in ceremony a couple of months ago — and Mr Sharif had turned up. It had been hoped that a new beginning would be made with both leaders having come to power with a decisive mandate and not having to depend on props which could hamper the peace process. Unfortunately, Mr Sharif has been unable to contain his Army which is determined to derail the peace efforts. These aggressions not just vitiate the atmosphere for dialogue but also compel New Delhi to respond accordingly. While the Indian Army has been responding fittingly to the transgression, the larger issue is about the purpose of such attacks from across the border. It is clear from previous experiences that the Pakistan Army has stepped up violence every time there has aroused hopes of a thaw in India-Pakistan ties. It has fought either through its regulars or by aiding and abetting militants to cross over and create mayhem. It has, for instance, according to reports, provided cover to the so-called Border Action Team, which comprises a bunch of trained militants, to breach the line of Control recently and target Indian soldiers located 700 metres into Indian territory. The scaling up of the provocative incidents is evident from Union Minister for Defence Arun Jaitley's statement in Parliament, that as many as 19 incidents of ceasefire violation have been reported since the Modi Government assumed charge on May 26. Additionally, the country has lost two jawans in the firings since July 16.
Mr Sharif has had bitter experiences with the Army during his previous tenure as Prime Minister. He had then been hobbled by lack of widespread public support and an assertive force under General Pervez Musharraf who was determined to short-change his Prime Minister. It was widely believed that this time around, with the ground situation having changed — voters of that country have overwhelmingly backed democracy and the military has been sent the message that it must confine its affairs to the barracks — Mr Sharif would assert his authority and not allow Rawalpindi to dictate foreign policy, especially when it comes to India. So far there has been no sign of his having the upper hand in the matter. Pakistan Army still calls the shots as far as relations with India are concerned. Given that it has close connections with anti-India elements such as the Inter-Services Intelligence and the militants, New Delhi cannot expect any real change in Pakistan's attitude towards it. As for Mr Sharif, he is not without blemish. He looked the other way when his brother and Chief Minister of Punjab Province Shahbaz Sharif provided Government aid to 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed's outfit.