M A I L B A G

Pakistan’s duplicity exposed

Apropos of the editorial “PM’s plainspeak” (Sept 27), with hypocrisy and a blunt anti-India rhetoric dominating Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s 15-minute address at the UN General Assembly, Pakistan once again dragged India into an annual ritual of mudslinging over terrorism and Kashmir. But Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee thoroughly exposed the pretensions and doublespeak of the military dictator. It is now time for the comity of nations to see through Pakistan’s gimmicks to distract world attention from its support to the Taliban, Al-Qaeda and jehadi elements in Kashmir.

Pakistan’s duplicity of its support to the fight against global terrorism is transparently exposed in its offer of cessation of terrorist activity in Kashmir if India came to the dialogue table. The worst part of Musharraf’s speech at the UN has been his audacity to tell India the significance of democracy and Kashmiri people’s right to self-determination.

If Pakistan has not changed its mindset and the perpetual agenda of India-bashing on Kashmir, much of the fault also lies with our foreign policy-makers. Why should we be always on the defensive on this issue? Why have we not insisted that Pakistan should vacate the PoK, as is mandatory under the old UN resolutions, before raising its fingers at India? Secondly, why should the UN observers at LoC be not asked to report on Pakistan's cross-border terrorist mischief?

VED GULIANI, Hisar

II

This has reference to the editorial “PM’s plainspeak”. It is astonishing to learn that Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf is pressurising India for bilateral talks through his friendly countries. The facts given by the Pakistani diplomat about India are totally erroneous.

The Pakistani diplomat alleged that India is the mother of terrorism and persons like Bal Thackery are terrorists who want to eliminate Muslims. I want to ask the Pakistanis who is promoting crossborder terrorism? What is the nature of the jehadis? The role of the ISI is more dangerous than other terrorist outfits. It is always trying to provoke the innocent people of Pakistan and Kashmir for terrorism.

In this atmosphere, how can we think about bilateral talks for peace and harmony? Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee was fully right in saying that both talks and terror cannot be discussed at a time.

Dinesh Mongra, Ichhi (Kangra)

A military viewpoint Apropos of Bhagwant Singh's letter “No reason to shift ammo depots” (Sept 16), he has presented the matter purely from the military angle and hence one-sided. He himself admits, for instance, that the ammo depots are located far away from the populated areas and in accordance with the overall strategic defence plan. Although certain rules and norms are expected to be followed while establishing the ammo depots, the planners do not bother to comply with them at all places. The military officers are expected to fulfil all the conditions of the Defence Act, 1903, within their own boundary. They cannot disturb the civilian population in the process. The military officers have no right to jeopardise the constitutional rights of the civilians to possess land and reside anywhere in India. They restrict the construction of buildings and structures to any limit they deem fit under the garb of this draconian Act. Consequently, the military has become a problem to the civil population. KISHAN SINGH, Bathinda

Heinous crime

Dara Singh and others have committed a most heinous crime, unparalleled in the history of mankind. A more stiffer sentence could have met the ends of justice. Even the sentence now handed down for killing Graham Staines and his two sons in Orissa, if and when executed, will go a long way in restoring our faith in the judiciary.

Paramjit Singh, Patiala

A step forward

This has reference to the news-item quoting Punjab’s Technical Education and Industrial Training Minister M.S. Kaypee that the polytechnics are being upgraded to the level of engineering colleges. It is a positive step. This shall put the existing infrastructure to optimal use and help provide quality engineering education both at the degree and diploma level.

The Central Polytechnic, Chandigarh, has recently been converted into the College of Engineering and Technology, keeping intact the Polytechnic Diploma course. Let not the identity of polytechnics be lost under the shadow of engineering colleges.

S. K. Aggarwal, Director, Regional Institute of Crafts & Health Training, Zirakpur