Former Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif has publicly acknowledged that Pakistan has isolated itself by its support for militant organisations and use of non-state actors as central to its foreign policy.
In an interview to Dawn newspaper, Mr. Sharif expressed concern over Islamabad’s foreign policy approach.
“We have isolated ourselves. Despite making sacrifices, our narrative is not being accepted. Afghanistan’s narrative is being accepted, but ours is not. We must look into it. Militant organisations are active. Call them non-state actors — should we allow them to cross the border and kill 150 people in Mumbai? Explain it to me. Why can’t we complete the trial?” Mr. Sharif said, referring to the trial in Pakistan of those involved in the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
Without naming Mumbai attack mastermind and various militant organisations operating in the country, Mr. Sharif said, “Militant organisations are active in Pakistan.”
“It’s absolutely unacceptable (to allow non-state actors to cross the border and commit terrorism there). President (Vladimir) Putin has said it. President Xi (Jinping) has said it,” Mr Sharif said.
Referring to the military and judiciary establishment, Mr. Sharif said, “You can’t run a country if you have two or three parallel governments. This has to stop. There can only be one government — the constitutional one.”
In the anti-terrorism court in Islamabad, the Mumbai attacks trial, which began in early 2009, has stalled. The judge has been changed more than eight times and the chief prosecutor was recently removed.
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