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Nawaz Sharief faces domestic flak over Kargil

Public opinion in Pakistan on the Kargil crisis does contain undertones of severe criticism of the Nawaz Sharief government for the present conflict in Kashmir.

Responding to an opinion sought by the Urdu daily Jang on the Kargil episode, several native and non-resident Pakistanis lashed out at Prime Minister Nawaz Sharief for the present escalation in tension at a time when ''Pakistan cannot stand for two days if there is a war with India.''

Three United States-based Pakistanis expressed concern about their homeland's weak economy and its image as a ''promoter of terrorism in the name of Islam.''

''Pakistan is engaged in terrorism and has launched an offensive against India, a country which is a true protector of democracy,'' said Fakruddin Ahmed-ul-Safa.

Pakistan has no business to interfere in India's dealing with intruders within its own territory, he added.

Sharif Iqbal feels that the Pakistani government is trying to divert public attention from its recent follies by creating trouble on the line of control.

''We already have wasted more than 50 years fighting over Kashmir and in the process neglected human development in Pakistan,'' he charged.

Altab, also from the US, said ''the Pakistani economy is in a shambles. Megalomaniac Nawaz Sharief has already weakened the judiciary, the press and the opposition and is now taking the country to war.

Some others also questioned the wisdom of their government in sending Islamic militants across the Line of Control into the Kargil area, charging that it cannot take up the so-called cause of Muslims abroad when Shias and Sunnis within the country ''cannot even go to mosques safely.''

UNI

The Kargil Crisis

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