All Parties Conference

AT a time when deteriorating relations between India and Pakistan pose a grave threat to national security, the convening of an APC on the issue is a most appropriate step. Despite a clarification by the ISPR that there is no solid evidence of any unusual military movement by India on the borders, and a statement from New Delhi that it is not suspending the ceasefire agreement, there should be little scope for carelessness as Indian government leaders continue to point fingers at Pakistan, the latest being by Deputy Home Minister Shakil Ahmad, who has repeated the accusation that the terrorists were of Pakistani origin. There is a need under the circumstances to take all parties into confidence. It is heartening to note that most of them have assured the government of their backing. At a PML(N) meeting chaired by Mian Nawaz Sharif, the government was assured of complete support and New Delhi was asked to stop accusing Pakistan.