Reham Khan speaks about the post-Pulwama tension between the two countries.
A day after Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's speech in which he had warned India that they will not think but retaliate if India takes any action against Pakistan in wake of the Pulwama attack, Imran's ex-wife Reham Khan in an exclusive conversation with WION spoke on the content of Imran Khan's speech, his position as Prime Minister of Pakistan, on the Pulwama terror attack and how India-Pakistan can move forward after the deadly Pulwama incident. At least 40 CRPF personnel were martyred in the Pulwama terror attack on February 14 after a suicide bomber blew off an explosive-laden SUV near a convoy of secutity men.
Reham said that even post elections in Pakistan and since he has been on PM's chair, Imran has made no effort whatsoever to curb extremism, financing of militant groups. In fact, we have seen a shameless parade of extremist elements being flown into North Waziristan ... these are very disturbing images ... and not from the point of view of being an Indian or Iranian, but also from a point of view of being a Pakistani.
"I think a lot of people have lost their lives to these militant elements within Pakistan also and it is indeed distasteful for us when we see extremist religious elements being promoted by the government of 'Naya Pakistan' and even before he came into power, the alliances with Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), their slogans and support of Imran did not go unnoticed. Him (Imran) standing with extremist, new religious parties and promoting them using the blasphemy card to get into power, these were all these compromises he made and once again in power he made some promises and failed again to deliver them," Reham said.
Reham Khan on Imran Khan's statement that Pakistan will retaliate if India attacks after Pulwama incident
Playing the devil's advocate while responding to Imran Khan's statement that Pakistan will retaliate if India takes any military action after the Pulwama attack, Reham Khan said that the sense of responsibility for statements has been completely thrown to winds. So we haven't seen any responsible statements coming out from India also. I don't appreciate war mongering slogans from Indian politicians and media either. So, of course, you have to understand that ... I think Imran's tone has been very soft by my standards and I think by many Pakistani's, the tone of Imran Khan has been very conciliatory and soft and he did say that if there is any action or a talk of war from India then we will retaliate, but of course, he has to say and any country would say that.
Reham Khan on the question that many would say it's not even Imran Khan's choice because the Pakistan Army would go and do exactly what it wants to
This poor man (Imran Khan), honestly, a lot of people and I am sure that I will be the victim of abuse and trolling as we speak and people will be thinking that its the personal vendetta and she's being vindictive ... but it's not, I feel sorry for the man, I really do, generally, feel sorry for the man (Imran) because here is a hero we have loved and appreciate for 40 years not only in Pakistan but in India and other cricketing nations. You know Reham Khan is not writing in the Economist or Guardian where everyone is naming and shaming him for all his decisions taken so far as he has not put a right step in the past 6-7 months and I think that yes the poor man does not have the authority, he is just there as I suppose he looks good in a sherwani, the establishment likes him and I think they like him in leather jackets as well and to be honest and to be fair to him, he is just doing the bidding, its not him, and that says a lot for the character of the man.
1. Reham Khan on Masood Azhar and Imran Khan asking proof from India of Pakistan's hand in Pulwama attack
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Now, I think with putting Masood Azhar on the global terrorist list, I think China has to ... we are waiting to hear from China also. They've have been mysteriously and characteristically very silent over this. I think some tough decisions will have to be made and when I say about the tone and selection of words of the Pakistan Prime Minister, I think because the words are not of his own, I think India should actually hold back the agro and the very aggressive tone they have taken in the past few days and despite this very tragic incident that has happened in Pulwama, I think they need to take this as a step forward in the right direction in at least the fact that they are talking about a dialogue on terrorism, they (Pakistan) are talking about a dialogue on terrorism.
So I think it's in the interest of India and Pakistan that Prime Minister Imran Khan has been made to adopt a soft tone and I do believe and well informed when I say that he has been told to take a soft stance and I think in the interest of the region, of our own people, India should accept the offer of a dialogue. However, I think the onus will be on Imran Khan's government or whoever is calling the shorts to actually take some effective visible step which they have not taken so far. The first step which is not only because of India or the US, Iran's pressure on them but because of the national action plan following the Army School incident, we were promised that financing of terrorist groups will be cut and but we haven't seen that ...
And today one of the things nobody is commenting about his (Imran's) speech in which he said that there has been a drop in terrorism, violence and extremism, I don't know from where he has got figures and I think probably he doesn't even perhaps aware that Masood Azhar is in Pakistan ... but then, Imran is not aware of many things, even about the greogrpahy of the world as well. So he can again be forgiven for this.
Reham Khan continued and said that somebody needs to show some action. There were wonderful words, I can't find any fault with whatever he (Imran) said. There were perfect words except that he should have offered condolence which he did not but I think that he said all the right things and if we are to believe that the deep state is feeding him these instructions then India should definitely take the offer and stop this war mongering, sloganeering and talks about peace. I know ... emotions are running high at the moment but we have to think about the future, we have to think about the future of extremism and terrorism not only in India but also in Pakistan. So, let's give them (Pakistan) a benefit of doubt.
2. Imran Khan in state of denial, says Reham Khan
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As far as the evidence and the proof go, I think it's sad that these tragic incidents ... there is no ... both sides Pakistan and India, we are experiencing high levels of violence and terrorism. I think that he (Imran Khan) is in a state of denial as far as the fact that there are no terrorist groups operating from Pakistan, certainly he might not be aware of them and that wouldn't surprise me but I think as the Prime Minister and if he thinks that he has any kind of authority whatsoever, he needs to put his house in order or accept the fact that he has absolutely no authority which we believe to be a fact for the past 6-7 months," Reham said.
3. Imran Khan should have condemened Pulwama terror, says Reham
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Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's ex-wife Reham Khan while speaking on Imran's recent speech in relation to Pulwama attack said, "I think that we need to put things in perspective. Even if there was no evidence of any involvement and this has to be proven as we haven't seen those clues yet but I think a clear condemnation and condolences were in order from the Prime Minister of Pakistan and I think even today (in his February 19 speech) failed to pass on sincere condolences to the bereaved, victims of Pulwama terror attack and I think that it was in very bad taste."
4. India fact-checks Imran Khan's rhetoric
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1. We are not surprised that the Prime Minister of Pakistan refuses to acknowledge the attack on our security forces in Pulwama as an act of terrorism. Prime Minister of Pakistan has neither chosen to condemn this heinous act nor condoled with the bereaved families.
2. Disclaiming any link between the terrorist attack and Pakistan is an oft-repeated excuse by Pakistan. The Pakistani Prime Minister has ignored claims made by the Jaish-e-Mohammad, as well as by the terrorist, who perpetrated this heinous crime. It is a well-known fact that Jaish-e-Mohammad and its leader Masood Azhar are based in Pakistan. These should be sufficient proof for Pakistan to take action.
3. The Prime Minister of Pakistan has offered to investigate the matter if India provides proof. This is a lame excuse. In the horrific attack in Mumbai on 26/11, proof was provided to Pakistan. Despite this, the case has not progressed for the last more than 10 years. Likewise, on the terror attack on Pathankot airbase, there has been no progress. Promises of “guaranteed action” ring hollow given the track record of Pakistan.
4. The Prime Minister has referred to a “Naya Pakistan” with a new thinking. In this “Naya Pakistan”, Ministers of the current Government publicly share platforms with terrorists like Hafeez Saeed who have been proscribed by the United Nations.
5. Pakistan’s Prime Minister has called for dialogue and expressed his readiness to talk about terrorism. India has repeatedly stated that it is ready to engage in a comprehensive bilateral dialogue in an atmosphere free from terror and violence.
6. Pakistan claims to be the greatest victim of terrorism. This is far from truth. The international community is well acquainted with the reality that Pakistan is the nerve center of terrorism.
7. It is regrettable that the Pakistani Prime Minister has insinuated that India’s response to the terrorist attack is determined by the forthcoming General Election. India rejects this false allegation. India’s democracy is a model for the world which Pakistan would never understand. We demand Pakistan to stop misleading the international community and take credible and visible action against the perpetrators of Pulwama terrorist attack and other terrorists and terror groups operating from areas under their control.
