National cohesion at stake following controversial speech of the Punjab chief minister
Opinion
Shamim Shahid
PESHAWAR: Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has sought to inflame tensions at a time when preparations are reportedly underway for yet another political experiment by adventurist forces in Pakistan. Consultations are said to be taking place in London as part of these preparations, developments that are naturally causing concern among political forces genuinely committed to transforming Pakistan into a prosperous, stable and progressive democratic state.
Since consultations and planning conducted in London are rarely free from vested interests and strategic considerations, the so-called London Plan could prove dangerous. Meanwhile, Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s inflammatory remarks about the neighbouring provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have understandably provoked strong reactions from various quarters. The consequences of this backlash remain to be seen.
The strong response from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and other regions and nationalities across the country could, however, benefit those forces and adversaries already working to create chaos and instability in Pakistan.
The strong responses from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and other regions and nationalities across the country could, however, benefit forces and adversaries already working to create chaos and instability in Pakistan.
A day earlier, while addressing a gathering, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif stated that Punjab faced threats not from neighbouring India but from its neighbouring provinces. According to her, terrorist incidents in Punjab originated in those provinces.
Maryam Nawaz Sharif should have considered the implications of such an inappropriate statement before making it. If she is the daughter of Punjab, she is also the daughter-in-law of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. For this reason, the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have traditionally referred to her with respect and dignity, expecting her to safeguard not only the interests of her native province but also the rights and interests of the province and people to whom she is connected through marriage.
There is no doubt that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have, at present, become major centres of terrorism. This trend poses a serious threat to the future of the entire country and its people. That is precisely why the people and political forces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have long called for effective measures to eliminate terrorism. Yet their appeals appear to have gone largely unheeded.
