OPINION | Like leopards, Pakistan Army will never change its spots

Pakistan army chief General Asim Munir has raked up Jinnah's two-nation theory, saying "Muslims are different from Hindus". The general, in a provocative speech, said, "Our forefathers realised we were different from Hindus in every aspect of life, our religion, our customs, our traditions, our thoughts and our ambitions are different. That's why they laid the foundation of the two-nation theory. We are two nations, we are not one nation". Gen Asim Munir is known as 'Mullah General' in Pakistan, and his remarks have justified this tag. He was not addressing a gathering of Maulanas. He was addressing the Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad, where Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, his ministers and other army generals were present. The convention was meant to garner more investments from those of Pakistani origin, but the army chief himself became the Maulana at the convention. On attacks by Baloch freedom fighters, the general said: "Do you think terrorists can take away the destiny of our nation? The 13-lakh strong Indian Army, with all its weapons, if it cannot intimidate us, do you think these terrorists can subdue our army?" The Army chief then raked up Kashmir by describing it as Pakistan's "jugular vein" and promised to help separatists. India immediately reacted and said that Pakistan has "only one role in Kashmir, and that is, it must vacate its illegal occupation of Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir". Gen Munir, who took over as Army Chief three years ago, is supposed to retire this year. Shahbaz Sharif's government is going to give him an extension, as was evident during the Pakistani PM's speech, where he praised Munir.  India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, while speaking at an event in Gujarat, said: "Pakistan is still stuck with its terrorism industry... India has changed; I wish I could say Pakistan has changed. Unfortunately, they continue to develop bad habits in many ways." Jaishankar is right. The world has changed, but Pakistan has not. It is stuck with old issues. The speech of Mullah General is quite evident. The very existence of the Pakistan army starts by spewing venom against India and ends with keeping the Kashmir issue alive. Pakistan army's task begins from giving sanctuary to terrorists, and ends with large chunks of properties being handed over to  Army generals. Pakistan is now in a dark abyss, facing mounting debts and people suffering from hunger. Pakistan is practically isolated throughout the world. None of the big economic powers wants to lend money to Pakistan, and yet, Pakistan is unwilling to change. In Hindi, there is a proverb "Rassi Jal Gayi, Par Bal Nahin Gaya" (literal meaning, the rope is burnt, but its strands remain).

India