RAW most potent force in world? Ask Pakistan

Which country has the most powerful intelligence agency in the world? The answer from most Indians will be that it has to be the US with its CIA. Some others may talk about spy agencies of the UK, Russia or Israel. And, of course, ‘credit’ will be willingly given to the Pakistani Inter-Services Intelligence for its valiant but not very successful efforts to destabilize the ‘enemy’.

But going by the statements dished out almost on a daily basis in neighbouring Pakistan, the clear answer will be that contrary to the general impression in the country, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) of India, is the most potent intelligence agency in the world! Almost every Pakistani leader, civilian and military, has been on an overdrive accusing India of fanning terrorism in the country, particularly insurgency in Balochistan.

The terror attacks for which RAW is blamed include gunmen killing school students in Peshawar last December, the continuous mayhem in Karachi, sectarian killings and, above all the unstoppable unrest in Balochistan. The Pakistanis have seen Baloch nationalists being trained by RAW in Afghanistan, a country run by a pro-Pakistan President!

Recently, the Pakistani foreign secretary led a delegation to the US for the seventh round of the US-Pakistan Security Strategic Stability and Nonproliferation Working Group—quite a mouthful! Before it left the shores of Pakistan, a high octane publicity (propaganda) drive in the country informed the people that the delegation will carry all the evidence it has collected on India’s (RAW’s) involvement in troubles inside the land of the pure.

One minister was categorical in declaring that the Pakistani delegation will ‘name and shame’ India with incontrovertible proof that will be exhibited before the US interlocutor. The ‘naming and shaming’ will be a continuous exercise. It is very easy to do that within the country which defines itself as the antithesis of India. The ‘RAW behind every trouble’ theme is supplemented by constant chants of ‘oppression’ of the rights of people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistani proxies in Kashmir like Ahmed Gilani are national heroes in Pakistan who are admired openly. He may have to compete with the likes of Hafiz Sayeed, Lakhvi and Salahuddin for public adulation. So, what devastating ‘evidence’ has Pakistan unleashed before US officials? Nothing. In fact, the subject of India’s alleged involvement in Balochistan and elsewhere or terror attacks inside Pakistan did not figure at all in the talks between US and Pak officials.

There is no doubt that the Pakistanis of all hues and convictions, educated and uneducated, liberal and conservatives, take it for granted that India is behind all the trouble in their country. But sometimes even Pakistanis wonder why despite talking incessantly about the Indian (RAW) hand behind all terror attacks no evidence has been presented publicly?

The weak civilian administration in Pakistan has completely surrendered the job of running Pakistan’s foreign policy and security matters to the men in Khaki.

The Pakistani army also sees an opportunity to redeem itself further by dictating the country’s Afghanistan policy. Taking control of the foreign policy was the easier part for the Pakistani army. The hard part is its inability to wipe out the ‘bad’ terrorists who operate inside Pakistan (RAW agents?) and the continuous rise in sectarian violence all over Pakistan, not to speak of a host of other problems. (Syndicate Features)

By Atul Cowshish