Guftgu: A Dialogue Between Neighbours

No other part of the world has borne the brunt of terrorism as much as South Asia has. While India and Afghanistan have been the worst sufferers, Pakistan, which has till date continued to nurture and use terror outfits against India and Afghanistan, is now claiming to be a victim of terror. But security and intelligence officers from India and Afghanistan beg to differ, saying that it is Pakistan's selective fight against terror outfits and its military-Jihadi nexus that is now afflicting some parts of the country. For years, Pakistan has been using certain terror groups for leverage against India and Afghanistan, but it continues to deny its involvement. Is Pakistan willing to stop its policy of state-sponsored terrorism? Will it stop providing shelter to the Taliban and terrorist leaders like Hafiz Saeed, Zaki ur Rehman Lakhvi and Azhar Masood? Should Pakistan come forth and explain how Osama bin Laden was discovered in a garrison town or for that matter why its military and intelligence agency still continues to support the Haqqani Network? The way forward is talks but at the same time, if Pakistan refuses to act against the Jihadi elements and continues to use them against India and Afghanistan for strategic leverage, then talks will be futile.