In a shocking admission, Pakistan PM, Imran Khan has stated that Pakistan had created militants in the past but they were of no use to Pakistan anymore. According to a Reuters story, Imran Khan said that the country’s push against militant groups following heightened tensions between Pakistan and India, reflected an urgent need for stability given the economic growth concerns. Interestingly, Pakistan has been facing pressure from the international community for fomenting terrorism. Countries across the globe have condemned it for actively supporting and sponsoring terror groups. Pakistan faces an imminent risk of being blacklisted by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which makes matters worse for them.
However, Khan tried to claim that Pakistan is acting on militants and the crackdown has got nothing to do with mounting international pressure. He said, “Everyone now knows what is happening in Pakistan has never happened (before)”. Therefore, the Pakistan PM ended up admitting that Pakistan has never really been serious as far as cracking down on terrorism is concerned. This would suggest that Pakistan has been lying all this while about its intention to curb terrorism. Khan also said, “We have decided, this country has decided, for the future of the country – forget outside pressure – we will not allow armed militias to operate.”
However, while trying to somehow convince the world about Pakistan’s crackdown on terrorism, Imran Khan ended up committing a faux pas. He ended up admitting that Pakistan had created militants and also used them. He said, “We should never have allowed them (armed militants) to exist once jihad was over.” He also rejected the apprehension that the Pakistan Army or the ISI could oppose his “crackdown” on terrorism. Imran Khan said, “Today, we have the total support of the Pakistan army and intelligence services in dismantling them.” What this means is that the civilian government in Pakistan is not in control of affairs. The way Imran Khan dodged the issue of facing opposition from the Pakistan Army or the premier intelligence body reflects that the civilian government does not enjoy much authority in the country.
When Imran Khan is not in control of the affairs of the country and needs the “support” of the Pakistan Army and the ISI before taking a strict stance against terrorism, then we can’t really go by his word. Pakistan PM Imran Khan also seemed desperate for international aid even as the country faces a threat of international isolation. Khan said that action against militant groups was in Pakistan’s own interests. Talking about threat of being backlisted by the FATF, he said, “We can’t afford to be blacklisted, that would mean sanctions.”
It is clear that Pakistan faces a huge threat of a catastrophic economic breakdown. And the situation becomes even worse for Pakistan in the face of growing international criticism. Pakistan is now on a camping to somehow create a perception that it is fighting terrorists and militants. However, Khan’s incidental admission is going to do Pakistan more harm than good.