The author quoted a news advisory by major U.S. think-tank Henry Stimson Centre on Kargil which had made serious observations about Pakistan's future politics and even its existence as a state.

The advisory, entitled `Dangers in Kashmir', was quoted as saying ``this military offensive (in Kargil by Pakistan) also raises central questions of where Pakistan is heading as a country.''

``This is the first time however that a military offensive has been carried out to seize and hold territory across a clearly demarcated line in the absence of a declared war,'' the American think-tank said.

Stating that Islamabad's claim about the LoC not being clearly defined was ``contrary to theSimla agreement'', it said the recent events raised important questions, ``not the least of which is Pakistan's future trajectory''. The daily quoted the Henry Stimson Centre as saying that Islamabad was now ``at a crossroad''. ``It can either follow up the Lahore declaration seeking a peaceful resolution of Kashmir (problem) or become mired in a never-ending insurgency against its neighbours.

``One choice leads towards a more secure democracy, better relations with the West and a better life for ordinary Pakistanis.

The other choice leads towards the talibanisation of Pakistan,'' it warned.