JeM is nothing but trouble: Pakistani daily

Islamabad, Feb 27  Banned group Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) is nothing but trouble, said a Pakistani daily which noted that these men are a constant source of embarrassment and worry for Pakistan.

An editorial "Mutually assured destruction" in The Nation on Saturday said that it took yet another militant attack across the border and increasing pressure from outside powers for us to finally act against Masood Azhar and his militant network. 

"India, however has taken matters into their own hands by demanding Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) be banned by the United Nations. This move, ostensibly for the general security for both countries, is another political ploy for India to show its own moral superiority," it said.

The daily said that undeterred by its previous attempt to get JeM chief Masood Azhar banned by the United Nations, India will again move the world body with the demand. 

It noted that the UN banned JeM in 2001 but India’s efforts to get restrictions imposed on Azhar after the Mumbai attacks did not bear fruit because China didn’t allow them to be imposed.

"While these men are a constant source of embarrassment and worry for Pakistan, the more India pushes for their arrest, the more Pakistan pushes back claiming their innocence/non-involvement in specific terrorist events," said the daily.

It added that in international relations, "where power and image trump liberal ideas of justice and human rights, we cannot be seen cowing down to Indian pressure". 

"The JeM is nothing but trouble, and due to the international situation is able to take advantage of the situation."