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Terror: Pak pays a heavy price

The continued terrorist attacks in Pakistan are a result of its government’s dual policy on terror. The editorial, “Nobody’s friends” (Oct 13) has exposed well Pakistan’s arrant futility of differentiating between good and bad terrorists depending upon how they fit into their sinister plans and serve their political interests.

Sooner or later, Pakistan will have to shun the suicidal path of following the double-edged policy on terrorism. It must understand that it is a Frankenstein monster which devours its creator in the end. At the same time, Pakistan needs to sort out the bilateral issues with India amicably and work together for ushering in peace in the region — the best way to keep terrorists at bay.

SATWANT KAUR, Mahilpur

LAJPAT RAI GARG, Panchkula

III

The continued attacks have exposed Pakistan’s extreme vulnerability to the terrorist threat. They also prove India’s contention that Pakistan has not abstained from patronising the jihadi groups, some of which were banned after 9/11.

It is imperative for the US to strictly enforce the strings attached to the military aid being given to Pakistan and ensure that Pakistan dismantle the entire infrastructure of terror groups operating from its soil. Pakistan leaders’ ostrich-like approach will serve little purpose. The need of the hour is to take the jihadi groups head-on.

TRISHLA GARG, Panchkula

IV

The editorial has rightly commented that the terrorists bite the hand that feeds them. Well-known British historian Sir Wolsey Haig writes, “He who rides the tiger cannot dismount it”. Pakistan should understand the naked reality.

Terrorists are a danger to both India and Pakistan and both should face them unitedly. The US too should know that Pakistan is the epicentre of terrorism and it cannot become a “frontline state” in America’s war against terror.

AMAR JIT SINGH GORAYA,
Scotland (UK)

Diwali gift

What is the best Diwali gift this year? A ration bag containing rice, wheat, dals, spices, vegetables and fruits.

VINOD JAIDKA, Panchkula 

Letters to the Editor

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— Editor-in-Chief

Jai ho democracy! During a visit to Jalgaon in Maharashtra as the Election Commission Observer recently, an old man narrated me an interesting anecdote. According to him, during the first Lok Sabha election, a former Maharaja was an Independent candidate and the ruling party had put up a formidable freedom fighter to oppose him. When his advisers told him to visit the weaker sections’ colonies, he did so reluctantly. He saw an aged sweeper asking the people why there was noise in the street. Her neighbours told her that the Maharaja was meeting voters. When he approached the aged lady, he recognised her as Dwarki, who along with her family had been cleaning his palace over decades. She touched his feet. But when he asked for her vote, she humbly but firmly replied, “Maharaja Sahib! You can take my life and anything I own, but I shall give my vote to the party which brought you to my street”. Jai ho democracy! JAGJIT PURI, Panchkula