The Pakistan Paradox: Screaming About Kashmir While Burning at Home

MGMMTeam
5 hours ago
3 min read

For decades, Pakistan has maintained a singular narrative: blaming India for regional instability, especially the Kashmir dispute, while portraying itself as the victim on the global stage. However, this loud external blame contrasts starkly with Pakistan’s silence and denial about its own deeply rooted internal problems — from terrorism and ethnic violence to political instability and economic decline.

*Pakistan becomes 2nd most terrorism affected nation in the Global Terrorism Index-2025 (File Photo) | India Today*

This article examines the glaring contradictions in Pakistan’s approach and exposes the consequences of its refusal to confront its own realities.

The Habit of Blaming India

Pakistan’s political and media establishments have perfected the art of externalizing blame. Whenever unrest or violence erupts inside Pakistan — whether terrorist attacks, sectarian violence, or political unrest — India is accused of masterminding the chaos, often without credible proof.

This strategy serves to rally nationalistic sentiment, distract from governance failures, and position Pakistan as a victim of Indian aggression. It also helps Pakistan’s leaders deflect responsibility for their failure to manage militant groups, border security, and internal dissent.

The Drone Strike That Pakistan Ignored

In August 2023, a drone strike on a volleyball game in the Azam Warsak area of South Waziristan injured 22 people, including children. This tragic incident stunned local communities and sparked outrage on social media. But the Pakistani state’s response was telling: complete silence.

No official investigation was launched. No one took responsibility, and the government did not condemn or clarify who was behind the strike. This is part of a larger pattern where Pakistan fails to acknowledge or address acts of violence on its own soil — particularly in tribal and border regions.

By ignoring such attacks, Pakistan reveals its inability or unwillingness to control its territory, and it leaves its people vulnerable to continuing violence.

Kashmir: The Perpetual Distraction

While parts of Pakistan suffer from violence, poverty, and political instability, its leadership remains fixated on Kashmir, using it as a diplomatic cudgel and rallying cry. This obsession overshadows more urgent issues like the insurgencies in Balochistan, the rise of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and widespread human rights abuses.

The Kashmir issue is often weaponized to unify Pakistanis against a common enemy and to garner international support, while the state neglects its own ethnic minorities and internal crises.

Misinformation and the Role of Social Media

In recent years, social media has become a battleground for narratives. Pakistan’s state-controlled media and unofficial actors actively disseminate misinformation and inflammatory content targeting India. False videos, doctored images, and conspiracy theories spread rapidly, inflaming public emotions.

The Guardian’s recent investigation highlights how these social media lies dangerously escalate tensions between India and Pakistan, at times bringing the two nuclear-armed neighbors to the brink of war. The rapid spread of misinformation fosters mistrust, hostility, and violent rhetoric, undermining peace efforts.

This misinformation campaign is part of Pakistan’s broader strategy to manipulate public perception, rally support for its Kashmir stance, and deflect from internal failings.

The Military’s Role in Sustaining Conflict

Pakistan’s powerful military establishment has historically supported militant groups to maintain strategic leverage in Kashmir and Afghanistan. However, this policy has backfired, as many of these groups now attack Pakistani civilians and security forces alike.

The military’s ambiguous approach to terrorism—sometimes engaging in negotiations, other times launching operations—creates an unstable environment. The Pakistani people often pay the price in terms of security and human rights.

Human Rights Violations and Ethnic Conflicts

Beyond Kashmir, Pakistan grapples with severe human rights challenges. Balochistan’s insurgency is fueled by decades of neglect and military crackdowns. Sectarian violence targets Shia Muslims and other minorities regularly.

Despite these grave issues, Pakistan focuses most international attention on Kashmir, masking the plight of marginalized populations within its own borders.

Economic and Political Turmoil

Pakistan’s economic instability—marked by high inflation, foreign debt, and unemployment—exacerbates social unrest. Chronic political instability and corruption erode public trust in institutions. Instead of tackling these challenges head-on, Pakistan’s leadership often resorts to nationalist rhetoric and externalizing blame.

Conclusion: Pakistan Must Confront Its Own Realities

For Pakistan to move towards stability and international respect, it must abandon its practice of scapegoating India and instead address its own deep-rooted issues transparently. Acknowledging incidents like the South Waziristan drone strike, confronting internal terrorism, reforming governance, and allowing free media are vital steps.

Without these changes, Pakistan risks continued internal turmoil and isolation, while dragging regional peace efforts into peril.

Sources:

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