Finally, the truth

After repeated assertions during the past few months, General Pervez Musharraf appears to have had no option but to admit the reality that i...

After repeated assertions during the past few months, General Pervez Musharraf appears to have had no option but to admit the reality that infiltration across the Line of Control in J038;K is continuing. In fact, he has described it as 8216;much worse8217; than what has been going on across the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.

There is enough evidence that Al Qaeda cadres in their hundreds and their leaders had slipped across Pakistan8217;s western border into that country, many of them even crossing back to fight the US forces in the battle at Shahi Kot in March, before returning to the sanctuary of the land of the pure.

The details of what Musharraf has said and its implications would no doubt be brought to the notice US deputy secretary of state, Richard Armitage, by his staff before he arrives in New Delhi tomorrow. The question that inevitably arises is, why has Musharraf changed his earlier stance and admitted to the ongoing infiltration which New Delhi has been saying has come down but certainly not stopped?

One answer is that he appears now to be emphasising that continuing infiltration is not 8216;government-sponsored activity8217;, leaving it open to interpretation that the earlier infiltration was. The second is that the responsibility for terrorism is being sought to be shifted to the jehadi groups nurtured by the army and the ISI over the years as if they were autonomous entities. The third is that this is part of the information package which seeks to enhance Pakistan8217;s ability to deny its role in cross-border terrorism.

But the General8217;s statement also eloquently indicates that Islamabad is not making any effort whatsoever to stop cross-border infiltration and terrorism. No wonder George Fernandes is already hinting at continuing military deployment beyond October. But surely a partner to the international coalition against terrorism has an obligation to ensure such steps? Musharraf has committed himself more than once to the position that no terrorism would be permitted from Pakistan-controlled territory. This cannot be achieved by a passive role although the Pakistan army has been active in promoting infiltration all along.

Islamabad must now clearly confirm that its army has been ordered to stop infiltration while the government takes all other steps to wind up the infrastructure that continues to support terrorists and expedite their movement across the frontiers.