The writer is a columnist, a former major of the Pakistan Army and served as press secretary to Benazir Bhutto
kamran.shafi@tribune.com.pk
But wait, when it comes to India and Pakistan something seems to snap at exactly the wrong time, just when it seems relations between the two belligerently armed neighbours are warming and the two countries are coming closer. Just days before the new visa regime comes into effect on January 15, and ‘senior citizens’ (including yours truly, hehehe) can visit that fascinating country having their visas stamped at the border, comes extremely bad news.
Three steps forward, three back, seems to be the fate of Pakistan-India relations. If the warm and friendly words of the Indian foreign minister, Mr Salman Khurshid, and the Indian Punjab chief minister, Sardar Prakash Singh Badal, at the Amritsar Safma conference gave one heart on January 5, there were reports on January 6 that one Pakistani soldier was killed by Indian forces along the Line of Control (LoC), and one badly wounded in a raid on a Pakistani post.
If the warm and friendly words of Punjab Chief Minister Mr Shahbaz Sharif on January 7, and by former prime minister Mr Nawaz Sharif on January 8 gave one renewed hope, Indian allegations on that same day that Pakistani troops had killed two Indian soldiers, one of whose head was cut off which was then carried off by his attackers, poured cold water on all feelings of warmth and friendship.
Before we go further, let me say that whilst the Pakistani TV channels can be as jingoistic as any, they are handling these matters with care; and very loud hype is being created by the Indian TV channels even though four days after the gory incident, no one on the Indian side was certain just how the poor Indian soldier had had his head cut off. In an appearance on one of the Indian channels, I had suggested that if the allegations were true, there were several ways in which the unthinkable could have happened. Indeed, while other senior retired Indian officers were recommending ‘unleashing’ the army, General S Roy Chowdhry, former Indian COAS, himself said a post-mortem had to be carried out before any conclusions can be made.
Let me here and now say that as a former soldier it is reprehensible to me to even countenance this kind of barbarity let alone accept it. This beastliness is simply not done by any honourable, disciplined body of men who proudly wear the uniform of their country’s army. I am merely making a point that whilst the Indians themselves are not sure of the circumstances of the soldier’s death and decapitation, India’s many news channels are making loud and ever louder allegations against Pakistan as if they know all.
Secondly, a Reuters news report quoted an Indian Army Northern Command spokesman as saying that the soldiers had not been beheaded.
I do think both countries need to bring sense to these horrible incidents by holding a joint inquiry by a commission of officers from both armies; study the post-mortem reports and then come to a conclusion. If there is hesitation then the UNMOGIP (United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan) can be entrusted with this inquiry.
Having said which, and considering the enormity of the allegations and counter allegations, both armies should conduct their own inquiries and, if people are found to be in violation of the rules of conduct, mete out appropriate punishments so that such incidents never happen again.
Enough of these sad, tragic and perfectly avoidable events. Back to Safma’s conference and what one saw. Apart from the excellent presentations and discussions, what stood out the most to a Pakistani was the perfectly civilised, friendly, respectful and dignified way in which foreign minister Khurshid and chief minister (CM) Badal conducted themselves. Recall that Sardar Badal fought an acrimonious election campaign with Congress’s Maharaja Captain Amarinder Singh of Patiala not too long ago.
Haider referred to the CM’s name and said he was proud to share the stage with a man whose name Prakash meant light when you needed the sun, and Badal meant clouds when you needed shade. The CM countered during his speech by saying he was honoured to be sitting with a man who was ‘the most respected and senior of India’s politicians’, going on to say that he would petition the ministry of foreign affairs to soften the visa regime for Pakistanis because his state had the most to gain from freer movement between the two countries.
Let me also inform my readers that even in the absence of Most-Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India, the border is chock-a-block with trucks (I counted above 150) carrying goods, from what I could see, mostly from India into Pakistan. Mainly tomatoes and bales of cotton, the import of the latter campaigned for by the All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) for years, specially under the stewardship of Gohar Ejaz.
A little of the culinary delights of Amritsar: the ‘thanday tandoor wali machhi’ (fish grilled in a cooling tandoor) was to die for, as was the sarson ka saag and makki ki roti (cooked mustard greens and maize bread). As, indeed, was the ras malai, just the right amount of sweetness and creaminess. Absolutely delicious.
Amritsar, India, see you soon!
P.S. Let me suggest to warmongers on both sides of the border to please read Confronting the bomb (Oxford) by the eminent Pakistani physicist Pervez Hoodbhoy. The book contains the thoughts of other very respected academics, Indians too. It should make your blood run cold.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 11th, 2013.
COMMENTS (49)
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@Author: "@gp65.: But do read this: http://t.co/DCmhjkzV The Indian Northern Command’s own PR man is saying no beheadings were done…." Sir, Here you go: a statement from the Indian COAS agreeing that a beheading had occurred and that this was not the first time it occurred, it had occurred once before in 2011 also. http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/if-provoked-we-will-retaliate-says-army-chief-general-bikram-singh-317067
Though it is easy to believe that the Indian media is blowing it up, a billion minds cannot be misled so easily. The Indian media is hyping it up obviously for the eyeballs. But the fact cannot be denied that after the Mumbai attacks and carefre existense of the like of Hafeez Saeed, despite teh bounty on his head, has not improved the image of Pakistan and its establishments in the eyes of the indian public.
@Razi:
"And yes, you people do come across propping India as a paragon of virtue......for you people, it’s “my country, right or wrong”."
You may well be right. This is not unusual though. The underlying "logic" is best articulated by Jackie Chan. Quote: If our own countrymen don’t support our country, who will support our country? We know our country has many problems. We [can] talk about it when the door is closed. To outsiders, [we should say] “our country is the best.”:Unquote
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2013/01/10/the-anti-americanism-of-jackie-chan/
@Razi: "@G Din If no Indian gives a damn, why on earth are hordes of Indians obsessed with commenting on these pages. " The reasons we are here, is to disabuse Pakistanis of fanciful fantasies of their/Islamic superiority, their "nookleyer" prowess ("hum tum se kam nahin") and their delusions about India because of their deep ignorance about us. We are trying our best to see, to warn you to refrain from undertaking misadventures against us, every one of which has ended in a fiasco for you. Still the question is if we are sure (and, really, there is no "if") that we can beat you to the pulp the next time too, why do we bother? The answer: because your misadventures and other shenanigans are a distraction for us. Without such distraction, both of us could busy ourselves with pursuits each of us does best: India with its self-construction, advancement and development and Pakistan with its self-destruction! I hope I have made it amply clear but that is no guarantee that others will stop asking such questions. An internet site, my friend, is open to the worldwide audience and its participation; it is not a piece of national real estate stepping onto which requires any favours, to be asked or given!
@G Din
If no Indian gives a damn, why on earth are hordes of Indians obsessed with commenting on these pages. It seems like all day long, they keep sitting in front of their computers, reading every story and article appearing on this site and spewing venom at every possible instance. And then in your sycophantic rage, you jump to the defence of your fellow Indian as if there is a deal to defend anything coming from the sacred 'pen' of Gauravi (gp65). You respect her not for the balderdash you have written but simply because she happens to be an Indian, hostile to everything related to Pakistan.
And yes, you people do come across propping India as a paragon of virtue. Even the slightest criticism of India on these pages, even by those writers that you and your ilk love to celebrate for their incessant criticism of Pakistan (conveniently calling it introspection), is met with such hostile and aggressive response that one is left with a single conclusion: for you people, it's "my country, right or wrong".
@G. Din: Thank you.
@Razi: "Gp65 is back after a brief hiatus with more of her venom, hate and twisting of facts"
You are entitled to your opinion that I have venom, I do not believe that is the case obviously. But if you think I have twisted facts, why don't you correct the facts instead of attacking me as a person?
"stubbornness thy name is gp65" You call it stubbornness, I call it persistence.
"In simple terms, what her propaganda amounts to is that India is a paragon of virtue and moral probity in its dealings with other nations especially Pakistan. Obviously, Pakistan is the opposite".
I express opinion - am not here for propaganda. No country whether India or Pakistan can be a 100% right or a 100% wrong. I am also well aware of the many gaps in governance that exist in my country and which need to be fixed. Where India Pakistan relations are concerned however, the following are facts not my opinion - All wars were started by Pakistan. Even Asghar Khan admits that. - There have been attacks on Indian civilians by Pakistanis throughout 1990s up until 2003( a fact that Pakistan denied in the past but now admits). The reverse has not been the case. India does not have religious warriors that have ever attacked Pakistan. - 26/11 was planned in Pakistan and executed by Pakistanis in India. There has been no such reverse cross-border attack done by Indians on Pakistani soil.
Undoubtedly when it comes to certain disputes, India and Pakistan both have different ways that they see an issue - which is why the dispute exists in the first place. In those situations, it is natural that the Indian point of view resonates with me - but I am open to refining my view based on the comments by many reasonable Pakistanis on these boards.
"Nothing could be further from the truth." Why not provide the truth?
@Razi: "Gp65 is back after a brief hiatus with more of her venom, hate and twisting of facts. She has been discredited before by many commentators but stubbornness thy name is gp65" I resent your insinuation. Can you substantiate what you claim? gp-65 is a commentator on this forum we respect for her detailed references and explanations for every one of her point of view. Can you name any commentator, leave apart many, who have discredited her? I am sure, you cannot. Usual Pakistani generalities and hot air! " In simple terms, what her propaganda amounts to is that India is a paragon of virtue and moral probity in its dealings with other nations especially Pakistan. " No one claims that India is a paragon of virtue. Thanks be to Lord that she isn't. I don't want India to be virtuous to the extent that incapacitates her in its dealings with Pakistan or any one else. I would like to think that she treats everyone with respect and nothing more. " Obviously, Pakistan (according to her) is the opposite. Nothing could be further from the truth." Frankly, no Indian gives a damn, truth or otherwise!
Gp65 is back after a brief hiatus with more of her venom, hate and twisting of facts. She has been discredited before by many commentators but stubbornness thy name is gp65. In simple terms, what her propaganda amounts to is that India is a paragon of virtue and moral probity in its dealings with other nations especially Pakistan. Obviously, Pakistan is the opposite. Nothing could be further from the truth.
@DilliNiwasi: I don't get your point.. Why is there such an enomisity and hate in your approach. Why don't you like 65 years old Pakistani visa visitor to India. You know why they would like to go there? To cherish their childhood memories and to pray at their ancestor's graves.. My father who is a peaceful Pakistani Ahmadi muslim wants to visit Qadian, Punjab purely for religious reasons.. I guess, you should give peace a chance and be more tolerant towards Pakistani, especially if someone wants to visit India for their personal reasons..
@C. Nandkishore: "@G. Din: I take the Indian government more seriously than the news channels. The news channels are in the business of TRPs. Higher the TRP more the advertisement revenue. Also higher the TRP higher is the bonus for the anchor"
In this case both the foreign minister and defense minister have admitted that the bodies have been harmed. Please see my erlier posts. in fact the defense minister's statement is directly from the url posted by the author in response to my original post.
Also many times the government wants to ignore issues until such time as the media forces it to take notice. This was true about Adarsh society scam, 3G scam, arrest of facebook posters and even in the Owaisi case. The checks and balance of democracy will ensure that both media and government stay in control.
@Falcon: "@gp65.: To your point that there is no war jingoism in India"
I said there is no war jinoism in the media. ALso that the governmet has made its stance very clear that it is not going to allow this issue to escalate out of control.
Yes Anna Hazare is an Indian and one whose leadership in the area of corruption is highly respected by most Indians including me. It does not mean that his views on every other subject have credibility. You must reconize that he was in the army and is really disturbed by these gory events - just like most Indians are.
As i mentioned in an earlier post, war is not an option. But it definitely is time to review the peace initiative and its pace since it has become clear over a period of time that Pakistan's civilian governmet cannot deliver what it has promised and army is not on board and continues to find ways to provoke India. Our PM wants peace at any cost but most of us Indians want peace with honour. The peace of the grave is unacceptable to us. This is vox populi and media is articulating it. In a democracy, people have to stay engaged and ensure that the government folows the will of the people. The responsibility does not end with voting once in 5 years.
@G. Din: I take the Indian government more seriously than the news channels. The news channels are in the business of TRPs. Higher the TRP more the advertisement revenue. Also higher the TRP higher is the bonus for the anchor. In short, they are more prone to be irresponsible.
@gp65.: To your point that there is no war jingoism in India...isn't Anna Hazare from India??? Forget about him, let us just look at the comments from Indian commenters on the news page below, it seems like war jingoism is working.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/492600/loc-unrest-indias-anna-hazare-calls-for-waging-war-against-pakistan/
I am an admirer of Shafi sahib's frank and straight forward way of putting the things in their right order. After reading this article many like the author himself are thinking hard as to Why it happrened?and Why it happened now ? I am putting forward some reasons for this ; 1. In the peace talks and efforts of confidence building measures , Pakistan Army Estt is not on board . 2. So they would not allow new visa regime to come into life. 3. Pakistan's COAS is due for retirement , so some reason or pretext is necessary for next extension. All these objectives can be achieved now.
@Author: to gp65 "The Indian Northern Command’s own PR man is saying no beheadings were done…." Please read Second beheading in two years by Pakistan Do not believe Indian officials because they are under orders by ManMohan to keep such outrages committed by Pakistan hidden from Indian public for his own quaint reasons!
@DilliNiwasi: Common Indian mentality...
A sincere piece as always. First of all it must be established that a beheading did take place. If it did then the guilty who ever they are must be given a suitable treatment. If not, then the misunderstandings must be cleared immediately and temperatures brought down. The Pakistani invitation of UN involvement is simply an effort to muddy the issue and kindle international interest in the Kashmir issue and there is no sincerity in it. Now if it happened, who could be behind it? Many possibilities come to mind. 1. Is it that some non-state actors are behind this to either stop a change in the direction of Pak military or is it the army itself trying to precipitate an excuse to NOT to start an offensive against the TTP and the like as there is 'talk' of doctrinal change? 2. Has it something to do with the unfolding political scenario where the military may have become instrumental in hijacking the agenda. 3. Could it be that the strong 'anti - MFN' (to India lobby) have got things 'managed'? 4. Many in Pakistan will no doubt have come to accept one such possibility as a probability. 5. No soldiers of honour would do such a despicable thing, but we must remember the Daniel Pearl and the beheadings of many members of Pak security agencies to tell us about the filthy mind sets of some members of Pakistani society that permeates armed forces too.
Provocation and LOC ceasefire violation started by Pakistan and not India 1st of all Indian army is right when they said that there is no link between Kashmiri grandmother crossing loc in sept 2011 and incident happening nearly 4 months latter i.e. current incident. If Pakistan army thinks that Indian army violated cease fire by building bunkers then why don’t they fire at Indian post at that point of time and why now?? 2nd thing is if Pakistan army thinks that Indian army violated cease fire by building bunkers then why don’t they officially lodge protest with their govt or call commander level meeting with their Indian counterpart. 3rd thing is Pakistan army instead of raising issue 16 month before they are firing now on Indian army post to warn them and that too with mortars that lead to destruction of a civilian house. So it is a clear sign of Pakistan provocation and Pakistan violated cease fire first by firing across LOC not India, Indian army only retaliated. If Pakistan army had any problem that they instead of warning Indian army with mortar then they should have lodged formal protest with India but they choose firing. Calling it less than one sided is unjustified and that’s what Indian army said parts of Hindu report is incorrect.After all those bunkers are old bunkers not new which they while repairing pakistan started firing thinking otherwise.Pakistan violated LOC ceasefire and provoked India first.
ET : These are factual rebuttals to what the author said to me quoting authentic named sources. Please allow. @Author: In addition to what I said earlier, two cabinet ministers have clearly referred to something that happened to the bodies. I would not trust jingoistic newspapers but cabinet ministers would not make irresponsible statements. Especially when Salman Khurshid makes it clear that his goal is to prevent escalation.
Here is what he said "Khurshid also stressed the need “to make sure that whatever happened should not be escalated. We cannot and must not allow escalation of this very unwholesome event that has taken place.”
Khurshid also said, “The manner in which the bodies have been treated, of course, the manner is of very very deep concern".
Our defense minister A K Antony , one ofthe most respected and sober cabinet ministers (and to whom the army reports) said
Defence Minister A K Antony said, “Pakistan Army's action is highly provocative. The way they treated the dead bodies of Indian soldiers is inhuman".
Such strong statements have not been provoked by cross border firing which is fairly routine on our LOC.
Kamranji....As one said above....I will restate that... You do not even know who killed the ex-prime-minister of your country...Benazir. The word I or who or me in Pakistan can mean anything but Pakistani. Because it is religious perversion that prevails and succeeds with methodical consistency!! So when Indian Govt. talks to Pakistan...many Pakistanis mired in islam do not even know that there is single govt that represents them and thats NOT the army. There is widespread disrespect for govt. institutions in Pakistan. When you try say something....its validity goes down especially when savage beast run amok in nation that does know whether they are muslims first or Pakistanis first!! I do not blame this on the murderers of 110 people today but on that irresponsible section of civil society that refuses to keep religion out of state and public affairs.
Whenever something goes wrong in India-Pak relations, first reaction from pakistani pseudo-intellectuals is total denial and they blame India for everything. After few years they will admit Pakistani involvement and accept blame. This has been happening since 1947. The fact is that Pakistan has never wanted friendly relations with India and this has again been proved by belligerent statement of Hina Khar. It has always been three steps forward by India and Pakistan pulling the legs everytime. India should understand this simple thing and talk to Pakistan assertively. When there are problems at the border, Pakistan talks of trade, and when India talks of trade, Pakistan talks of border disputes. How can there be any friendship with such a country ? India is a big country and can do without any trade with Pakistan.
Two things must be understood -- The Pakistan Army is answerable to no one in Pakistan, either Parliament or the Judiciary. In contrast the Indian Army is a disciplined force under total Government control. A professional soldier is always ready to stare death in the face but always has his professional honour. Beheading, mutilation and taking away body parts as Trophies may be a regular practice in Pakistan, but totally unacceptable by Indians. If the Indian army is not backed by its Politicians in this case they will do what they feel is right to send a message, irrespective of what the Government thinks. That will be a dangerous precedent with catastrophic consequences. Matter is not of who fired and who got killed but of the violations of ethical boundaries professional soldiers never cross. This violation could be a case of one too many.
@gp65.: I have addressed ALL what you have mentioned many times as you well know. But do read this: http://t.co/DCmhjkzV
The Indian Northern Command's own PR man is saying no beheadings were done....
Kamran-saheb, You command a lot of respect in India so let me try and give the Indian perspective without defending the jingoism, of which there is plenty on both sides (we can argue on which side has more and why). There is a background to why the Indian media is so shrill -- mainly it is 26/11 in Mumbai and many such terrorist incidents. The fingerprints of the Pakistani establishment was all over these incidents but yet Pakistan remains in denial, lies about it, does nothing to prosecute or punish the perpetrators, does everything to cover up its crimes. Your jihadis such as Hafiz Saeed and Zaid ghazwas hind Hamid are still roaming around preaching hatred. That is why most of the Indian media hates Pakistan -- but not all Pakistanis. People such as you adn Pervez H command lot of respect from us because of your intellectual honestly -- we don't mind hearing from you about the atrocities in Kashmir or India's treatment of Muslims (not exemplary). But to be lectured by hateful slimebags like Ahmad Quraishi is laughable.
Now about the beheading, well may you be right about there not being and how it goes against the grain of your fauj that you so nobly represented. But beheading is a Islamist jihadi signature item -- ask Daniel Pearl. One of your jihadi commandos, Ilyas Kashmiri of ex-SSG, is said to he have decapitated the head of an Indian soldier and presented it to the execreble Musharraf. Brave Man. So the Indian media's views is colored by such past incidents. Outside that, most ordinary Indian people harbor no feelings towards Pakistan. Their concern is their daily bread. Allah hafiz.
@Tribal Manto: "A joint inquiry can alley the grievances,"
Did Pakistan agree to a joint inquiry with US for OBL living in Abbotabad? What about Salala? What about 26/11? IT is now keen to involve UN but yet the same Pakistan sent UN observers back from Balochistan?
The people are dead, there were no cameras. No enquiry can prove anything and then Pakistan will claim innocence.
But the fact is there is a track record of acting in bad faith during the 90s sending jihadis and lying about it. During Kargill and lying about it. During 26/11 when an Indian (Abu Jundal) was hired to actually train people to speak Hindi so that it could be claimed that the killers were Indian. When KSA was trying to extradite Abu Jundal living with a Pakistani passport to India, Pakistan tried hard to block extradition. What does that show?
There maybe many things India and Pakistan can accuse each other for. But whatever Pakistan accuses India of are things that India never hid. Those are disputes where India thought it acted in India's best interests and took ownership for its actions.
Also beheading is something that is done by people on just one side of the border.
more than a hundred Pakistanis died yesterday. Give India a break. We cant take care of militants running amok and jingoists in our side want to go to war.
KS sahib, I don't like you going to India (while I could not for now) alone. But I do like what you write. Let us all take a chill pill and a step back. We know there are state and non state actors working to thwart the peace attempts. They do not want the common people of the country to see the facts on the other side of the border no matter what the cost is.
I invite you to study and write about MQM. We could do with some neutral analysis.
my indian friends - i spent time watching ndtv videos - do not be fooled by barkha dutt - she is hyping up things to take attention away from your cornered congress party - isn't she a ladli of congress ? pipe down - let peace be on border
Let the sanity prevail on the both sides of the boarder. A joint inquiry can alley the grievances, and suggestions should be put forward where such incidents could be avoided in the future. Peace is paramount for us neighbours.
While a good column, you seem to cast doubts about the beheading of a dead Indian soldier. The Pakistani army indulged in mutilation of Indian soldiers during the Kargil War. One of them - Lt. Saurabh Kalia, was an officer. His father is still trying to get some justice and is running pillar to post. He is going nowhere. India has no leverage and Pakistan can never have enough evidence. Remember 26/11. Hope India is not looking for peace with someone in whose culture dissimulation is a time honored practice. SAFMA or not, Indians ought to stay alert.
I think what is needed at this point is the patience - let the autopsy and inquiry report come out. Let the truth be out rather than acting on speculations. I think India media should also act with caution otherwise all the hard work of normalizing relationship with Pakistan will go in vein.
Long march, bombings, assassinations and now this eastern border skirmish! Perfect recipe for emergency declared, elections postponed and back to the good old ways of idol building by establishment.
Thank you sir, thank you very much for visiting India and saying few good things about my country. I have been a regular reader and admirer of your writings in the Dawn which illuminated its pages with the greats, such as Ardeshir Cowasjee (RIP), Irfan Hussain, Ayesha Siddiqa, Nadeem F.Paracha and many more other luminaries of Pak print media. You seems to have been a bit critical, albeit mildly, about Indian media's reportage regarding the recent border incidents. I think that is a bit unfair, given the track record of the Pak "establishment"s historic attitude towards India. For ordinary Indian people, Pakistan is a pure evil and with good reasons. No action has yet been taken against the murderers of Mumbai carnage, they are still free, not only to roam on the streets, but, to openly call for killing Indians, Americans and the western people in general. In this kind of scenario, if Indian media takes a tough stance over border incursions, then, I don't think, one should blame them. Anyway, your opinion piece was a good reading. I respect you.
@Falcon: "I am surprised that war jingoism is picking up in Indian media and the public is falling for it."
I think the good Kamran saab is interpreting the Indian media through PAkistani lens. PErhaps when such voices are heard in Pakistani media it maybe to get prepared to launch a war. India has never launched a war and I hope it never will. Most people see the army's role as protecting the border not expanding them.
Thus the angry response that he heard (and you can if you check out Indian channels online) is to convey the feelings of the public to our Prime minister to not get so carried away by words of peace but pay attention to ground reality and be prepared to protect India and Indians. No one in India wants another 1962 when we were unprepared. Also we Indians would like to ensure that any liberalization is done on a trust but verify basis and also it is ensured that Pakistan holds its end of bargain.
India just get ready for Gawaza-e-Hind. We are coming soon home. Allah ho Akbar.
Joint inquiry is a good proposal if there is mutual confidence. Unfortunately, over the years Pakistani authorities have have allowed an erosion of their credibility for short term gains. For instance, I would remind people of rhetoric from Pakistan at the time of Kargill conflict and again denial by the Pak authrities after the Mumbai attack before the sheer strength of evidence rendered Pakistani denials as hollow. Of course Mr Sharif and Mr Musharraf later admitted knowing about and blamed each other over Kargill. Add to this a tradition of mutilation of bodies of soldiers or civilians by elements in Pakistan. For instance, Saurabh Kalia incident or even Daniel Pearl incident are well documented.
No one can clap with one hand and of course India will have to take its share of responsibilities for this unfortunate state of affairs lasting since 1947 but at least Indian government has been less misleading to the public than its Pakistani counterparts over the years.
So is it too difficult to understand the context of public outrage India and is it fair to blame the press? Indians are just tired of mutilation and beheading as a culture on its western front.
@AK Murthy Calm down and stop being fooled by propaganda.
Another good read, please continue to remind all of us to think about what is really important for Indians and Pakistanis, that being peaceful coexistence!!
Please. I have a four letter work for all these moots and meetings. It is called 'crap'.
The LOC is boiling up and the public mood in India is very different now because of the Gang rape and now the confirmed beheading of on Indian soldier and maybe one more. However the weak government of Dr. Manmohan Singh can try hoodwinking the people of India, It is not working. Look at the way the protesters in India laid siege to the corridors of power because of the rape crisis. The appeasement of Pakistan will not work anymore.
The Indian Army will never allow the abuse of their soldiers.
How was Aristocrat? Did you take it neat? Goes well with sarson ka saag, does it not?
Shafi Saab: Hum apko dus saal ka visa de dedienge. Just ask for it. In your request, make it clear that you contribute articles to Express Tribune & a former Press Secy to PM Madam Bhutto and are seeking nothing less than a 10 year visa even if there is no provision on the application form. BUT, I was, as aam admi of India, NOT AT ALL comfortable with giving visa-on-arrival to 65 and above. Infact I am not comfortable giving visa to any one from Pakistan for any reason and would prefer a ban on anyone going there from India. This ban should be continued till the mindset of average Pakistani changes and conditions change inside Pakistan. Unfortunately, I am not expecting anythin to change in Pakistan ever other than intense western pressure, withholding of funds, possible blockade at some point in time in the future on Pakistan.
The more I read you the more I come to realise the you mean well and you make sense.
I am surprised that war jingoism is picking up in Indian media and the public is falling for it. Saner voices on both sides need to take control of the helm and stop things from sliding further. We simply can not afford to go at war against each other. It is not about guns and honor, it is about the humanity that is going to suffer on both sides of the border.
Why is Pakistan importing cotton? And we can't even grow tomatoes!