Pakistan – Assam Political Dispute Intensifies Over 2013 Visit Claims
Pakistan – The political atmosphere in Assam grew more heated on Monday as Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi exchanged sharp accusations over alleged links to Pakistan and the handling of an investigative report.
Chief Minister Questions 2013 Pakistan Trip
The latest round of the dispute began after Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma publicly raised concerns about Gogoi’s visit to Pakistan in 2013. In a detailed press conference that lasted nearly two and a half hours, Sarma questioned the specifics of Gogoi’s travel, particularly his reference to Takshashila, also known as Taxila.
According to Sarma, Gogoi’s visa reportedly permitted travel only to Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. The Chief Minister argued that Taxila falls within Rawalpindi district, outside the Islamabad Capital Territory, and questioned how Gogoi could have visited the site without special authorisation. He further pointed out that Rawalpindi houses Pakistan Army’s General Headquarters, suggesting that the matter carries national security implications.
Sarma asked who facilitated Gogoi’s movement if his visa restrictions did not include the area. He described the issue as serious and said clarity was necessary given the sensitivity of cross-border travel and security concerns.
Congress Leader Accuses Government of Deflection
Responding from Guwahati, Assam Congress president Gaurav Gogoi dismissed the allegations as politically motivated. He accused the Chief Minister of attempting to divert attention from separate claims concerning land allegedly owned by Sarma’s family.
Gogoi alleged that a Special Investigation Team report cited by the Chief Minister had been kept out of the public domain for six months because it failed to establish any wrongdoing. If the issue truly involved national security, he asked, why was there such a delay in bringing the findings forward?
He maintained that the timing of the press conference coincided with what he described as growing support for the Congress party in the state. According to Gogoi, the controversy emerged only after Congress leaders raised questions about land holdings reportedly linked to Sarma’s family.
Dispute Over SIT Report and Alleged Connections
Sarma has also claimed that Gogoi, his wife Elizabeth Colburn, and Pakistani national Ali Tauqeer Sheikh share connections that may have involved the exchange of sensitive information. He suggested that Gogoi’s visit to Pakistan in 2013 may have had a confidential element.
Gogoi firmly rejected these assertions. He said his wife had travelled to Pakistan for professional reasons as part of an international programme operating across several regions, including Asia, Africa and South America. He stated that he accompanied her on a 10-day visit and insisted that the trip was lawful and transparent.
Clarifying further, Gogoi said his passport records show travel to Lahore and Islamabad in early 2014. He added that while he mentioned visiting Taxila, he did not state that he travelled to Rawalpindi city. He challenged the Chief Minister to make the full SIT report public if there was evidence supporting the allegations.
Family References Draw Strong Reaction
The political confrontation took a more personal turn when Gogoi accused the Chief Minister of referring to his minor children during public remarks. Describing the comments as inappropriate, he said families should not be drawn into political disputes.
Gogoi also expressed concern over what he termed the circulation of misleading material and social media content related to the controversy. He indicated that he is exploring legal options over the references to his children and alleged disclosure of private details.
Broader Political Context
The exchange reflects a deepening political rivalry in Assam ahead of future electoral contests. While the Chief Minister has framed the matter as one involving national security and transparency, the Congress leader has characterised it as an attempt to shift public attention away from allegations concerning land ownership.
Both leaders have stood by their positions, and the controversy continues to generate debate within the state’s political landscape. As of now, no official findings from the Special Investigation Team have been released to the public, leaving the matter unresolved and politically charged.