Zardari being unnecessarily targeted for his overture to India: Editorial

Islamabad, Sep.17 (ANI): An editorial in one of the leading English dailies of Pakistan has highlighted that President Asif Ali Zardari is being unnecessarily targeted and criticized by certain quarters in the country even if he attempts to address the long pending issues with India in his bid to de-escalate tension between the two neighbour countries.

The Daily Times editorial said while Zardari is condemned for his overture to India, similar actions taken by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif goes unnoticed in the country.

"President Zardari is pilloried if he makes a friendly overture to India; a similar overture made by Mr Nawaz Sharif is either ignored or actually praised," the editorial said.

It also brought to light how several retired army officials and bureaucrats have suddenly jumped out of their retirement to denounce Zardari's every action.

"Retired generals and retired bureaucrats whose 'stand-still' strategy with India in the past has brought Pakistan to its present crisis point, have crept out of their retirement to express their shock at how President Zardari is harming Pakistan through his diplomacy with China, the United States and the European Union," the editorial stated.

The editorial went on to add that Zardari is right in his part to woo the international community, especially China and the US.

"Pakistan needs a lot of placatory diplomacy, not hostile 'action', given its past failed strategies," it concluded. (ANI)