'Mumbai carnage strengthened Pak military establishment, weakened democracy'

ISLAMABAD: The Mumbai terror attacks had strengthened military establishment and rightist ideology in Pakistan, putting democracy under threat, according to security analyst and columnist Dr Ayesha Siddiqua.

Speaking at an interactive session on 'Where to After Mumbai', arranged by South Asia Policy Analysis Network (SAPANA) Pakistan, Dr Siddiqua said there was a weak political government, which did not know how to run the state.

She claimed that the General Headquarters (GHQ) was deciding the foreign policy and that the military establishment had improved its image in the aftermath of Mumbai attacks.

Dr Siddiqua said after the Mumbai attacks, peace process had been derailed and there were no signs of its resumption in the near future.

She suggested India and Pakistan work together and resolve outstanding disputes to curb terrorism, adding that the Kashmir issue should immediately be resolved in accordance with aspirations of Kashmiri people.

Dr Siddiqua ruled out the possibility of a war between India and Pakistan, and said India could not control reaction to its surgical operation in Pakistan.

Besides improving its relations with neighbours, Pakistan needed to resolve its internal problems too, the Daily Times quoted her, as saying.

Dr Siddiqua said democracy had not taken roots yet and possibility of a military intervention in future could not be ruled out.