This refers to the editorial, “Sharif's failed diplomacy” (October 24). Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's ambivalence in engaging with India to resolve bilateral issues reinforces the fact that Pakistan is “neither a dove, nor a hawk”. On the one hand, Mr Sharif pats his own back for proposing a “new” peace initiative comprising four “specific” and “feasible” steps for progress towards normalisation. On the other, he warns of “credible deterrent” measures in the face of India “arms build-up” and “dangerous military doctrines”.
Terrorism is not a legitimate instrument of statecraft. That the terrorists who unleashed violence upon India in several cross-border attacks are walking with impunity in Pakistan despite evidence of their complicity, shows the hollowness of Mr Sharif's commitment to fight terror. It is time Pakistan stopped threatening India with nuclear interventions and, instead, came up with new ideas to strengthen diplomatic ties between the two countries.