Ansar Mahmood Bhatti

For the first time in the history of the European Union, a member country will hold a referendum to seek public opinion on whether it should remain part of the Union or quit. This is unprecedented because there was simply no provision available in the EU constitution. However, a few years ago when the Union crafted a new constitution for itself called the Lisbon Treaty, an opt-out clause was introduced for the first time. Article 10 of the Lisbon Treaty now allowed a member state to opt out of the European Union. Critics say, UK, since long, had been championing for the inclusion of this particular clause to be incorporated into the EU constitution for no other country except its own self. Obvious benefit being the freedom to leave the bloc whenever its people and political leadership were so inclined.

Kulbhushan Yadav’s confessional video has confirmed the Indian state institutions’ involvement in heinous terrorist acts in Baluchistan, Fata, Karachi, KPK and other parts of the country. The objective of the madness like always is to destabilize and disintegrate Pakistan since Indian hatred and venom against Pakistan is not new. The seeds of acrimony were sown even before the creation of Pakistan when the Congress and its naïve leaders conspired to prevent establishment of new Muslim state in the sub-continent. Illegal occupation of Kashmir in 1947, creation of Bangladesh through Mukti Bahini, Siachen occupation in 1984, and sponsoring hundreds of terrorism acts in Pakistan since 9/11 attacks speak volumes of the Indian antagonism. Indian Naval Commander’s activities in Pakistan are in fact a continuation of the process initiated decades ago.

The Prime Minister and his family seemingly badly shaken by the so-called Panama leaks, appear to have partially grappled with the situation. The government spin-doctors have thwarted the opposition onslaughts on the PM and his family members, who do own some offshore companies. These wizards are trying to prove that the PM does not personally own any offshore company and that he does not have any link with the companies owned by his children. Even the International Consortium of Investigative Journalism (ICIJ) has clarified that PM Nawaz Sharif’s name was mentioned inadvertently. The Opposition, especially Imran Khan, on the other hand seem averse to giving a lifeline to the PM.