'Lipstick on a pig': Former US official draws parallel between Pak army chief and Osama Bin Laden

A leading US analyst has made a fierce attack on Pakistan's military command, accusing it of terrorism involvement. Michael Rubin, a former Pentagon spokesman and American Enterprise Institute fellow, has urged the US to label Pakistan as a state sponsor of terror. 

Comparison with Osama Bin Laden 

Rubin made a comparison between Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir and Osama Bin Laden, asserting that both have the same ideology. He stressed that the only difference between the two is where they live, with Bin Laden living in a cave and Munir living in a palace. Rubin contended that Munir's actions deserve the same treatment as Bin Laden's.

Pahalgam attack

The recent Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people has evoked widespread indignation. Rubin is convinced that this cannot be relegated as a single incident, but as one sequence of terrorism orchestrated by Pakistan. He compared it with the October 7 Hamas attack in Israel, citing the killing of innocent civilians in both attacks.

India's response

The Indian government has responded strongly to the Pahalgam attack. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised that those who were involved will be dealt with according to the law. The Centre has also resolved to hold an all-party meeting to address the attack and the general issue of terrorism.

Diplomatic fallout

In a major build-up, India has made several diplomatic actions against Pakistan. These include the diminution of the strength of the Indian and Pakistani high commissions, limiting Pakistani nationals' entry into India under the SAARC visa exemption regime, and suspending the Indus Waters Treaty until Pakistan abjures support for cross-border terrorism. Further, India will recall its Defence, Navy, and Air advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad.

International implications

The attack on Pahalgam and the resultant diplomatic fallout have major global implications. The US and the international community will be monitoring India's response intently, and the world will be examining the regional stability implications of these events.The charges of terrorism by Pakistan and the diplomatic row between India and Pakistan have tremendous implications. The world will be watching with bated breath, and it is yet to be seen how all this will affect the future of regional politics.