Pakistan’s High Commissioner to New Delhi Salman Bashir on Sunday took a jab at the Indian media for its tendency to whip people up into a frenzy instead of facilitating a dialogue to address issues. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
Some 48 hours after the Indian president launched a tirade against Pakistan over its alleged export of terrorism, Pakistan’s High Commissioner to New Delhi Salman Bashir on Sunday took a jab at the Indian media for its tendency to whip people up into a frenzy instead of facilitating a dialogue to address issues.
Criticising the Indian media for its focus on the “so-called incursions and infiltrations” the envoy said that military authorities should be left to handle the situation rather than pointing fingers.
Talking to reporters in Hyderabad, Bashir said that Pakistan wanted peace on the contentious Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir and was ready for dialogue on all issues.
“Let us sit together and address the issues in a civilised way instead of whipping people up into a frenzy and creating hysteria. It does no good to anybody,” he said.
Terming as baseless the narrative in the Indian media about infiltrations from Pakistan on the LoC, the high commissioner called for a broad range engagement between the two countries to improve bilateral ties.
“If we are going to talk about infiltrations and incursions, then we must also talk about something which is very important and which needs objective reflection in Pakistan, in this country and elsewhere,” he added.
Reluctant to level the blame, Bashir questioned who was sponsoring terrorists who are targeting civilians, the Pakistan Army and the Inter-Services Intelligence.
“We have evidence which we have shared and we are prepared to share with the rest of the world and particularly with the government of India on these aspects about episodes of terrorism in Pakistan,” he said.
The high commissioner added, “If you want I can vitiate the atmosphere by spelling out those concerns but I don’t want finger pointing. Let us address each other’s concerns... that is the way forward and that is the logical, rational and civilised way. Let us not do this through media.
Taking a swipe at the Indian president, Bashir said “whoever is making the argument that they (infiltrators) have not descended from heaven, I want to ask who is involved in heinous acts of terrorism in Pakistan.”
Published in The Express Tribune, October 7th, 2013.
COMMENTS (33)
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@hmmm
pakistan has always been in denial mode....but there is a saying AS YOU WILL SOW SO SHALL YOU RIPE.....and pakistan is enjoying the fruits of terrorism and is now counted with failed countries like north korea...they are already paying heavily for being in denial mode
pakistan is a country of angels
@B: What would you say when the PM of India stands up at the UNGA and announces to the world that “Pakistan is an epicentre of terrorism”.
Nothing wrong with that statement. If Pakis want to kill each other in the name of Islam that is their problem, but they should not be allowed to send terrorists to other countries or train Muslim terrorists from other countries.
Mastermind of recent attack in a Kenya Mall (90% shops Indian owned) was trained in Pakistan.
@luvDAT india has lost 1/3 of its part as per you, but as per me india has lost only some part of kashmir only to pak and some part to china...india has 30+ states so can you explain me how losing some part of one of its state amounts to losing 1/3 of india?...secondly india is much more vast than you know it is one of the most diverse nation geographically and culturally so it is obvious that there may be few troublemaker groups like naxals in underdeveloped part of india.....but they are just as small as an ant when compared to power of army,navy,airforce of india...and there are no other separatist groups which are even worth mentioning so can you please name a few groups which will separate india?
Why are these foreign service officers so restrained-Mr Bashir just say it, 'Indian RAW is behind murderous subversive activities in Balochistan via Afghanistan'. No need to talk about talks. Haa the Govt not learned, India is a snake. The govt does all kinds of oppression in Kashmir and elsewhere but falsely teaches in schools and through its unprofessional media , littered with RAW plants, how innocnet it is and how peace loving it is, whilst mass graves are being found in Indian occupied kashmir.
Pakistan must repeat again and again- UN involvement, UN involement, UN involvement -so the world knows who tells lies and who is doing what. Once this happens the Indian citizenry, who are brain washed like zombies will be in a state of shock-as reality is shown to them. UNMOGIP is already present-Just publish one of their reports, that all!
@ Waqar, this is the attitude that has caused sad state of affairs in Pak. “They can’t dare to do anything as usual.” Even at this point in time, if you fail to understand what India can or is doing to Pak, then God save you. By the way, what worse can be done to a “failed” state.
@naxia: @Kaleem: What would you say when the PM of India stands up at the UNGA and announces to the world that "Pakistan is an epicentre of terrorism".
India needs to hand over Jammu and Kashmir to its owner, Pakistan.
[ET Moderators- Kindly allow this in the interest of a healthy debate. Thanks!]
@LuvDat!: @Waqar: @xain: @Pton: @Shah (Berlin): @Taimur: @Blunt: @Saud:
Sorry, Ladies and Gentlemen. I have no intention of dignifying your rejoinders by attempting to honour you by undeserved answers.
If you are interested in knowing the true value or acceptability of my comment, all you need to do is to see how many readers of this blog 'Recommend' it as against yours.
Those who doubt my intentions are advised to see my comments (particularly the first one and the one in reply to @antanu) on an article on the following link:
http://tribune.com.pk/story/606012/talk-to-the-taliban-but-from-a-position-of-strength/#comments
So, keep reading for even wiser Gems from my end in future. Cheers!
I would really love if Pakistan gather up all the terrorists and send them to india. the indians seems to be in awe of them. terrorists are in their tiny minds all day long.
This has been Indian people's and media's old bad habit and most favorite hobby to interfere in mostly every matter of Pakistan most especially importantly in the peace talks' procedures and always old habits go hard because India wants to be superior in the South East Asia by degrading and disgracing Pakistan thru any possible means and manifestations and India media plays the most important role in this regard.....
finally ! Some had da guts to shut up india .
This Bashir character has always been a joker. He wants us to believe that Pakistan has proof against India and can not has shared with rest of the world esp with Govt of India. Pray, what stops him from doing so? Pakistan raises for which it has evidence nor logic as well, like river water sharing issue...if it not satisfied with Indus Water Treaty, why does it not renegotiate it? Does it have guts to do so? Indian soldiers are fight the incursions and will continue to do so. If Pak govt i unable to tackle situation at home, what can India do about it, Indians dont go to FATA....take control of your country, where you miserably failing.
@wonderer
The envoy from Denialistan who is slamming the Indian media should be taken to the Keran sector in Kupwara Distt where heavy firing is still being exchanged in this ongoing operation for the past 15 days.
@wonderer: The problem is terrorism, right? So, terrorism must be stopped, right? India can and should stop terrorism in Kashmir, right? Pakistan cannot stop terrorism in Kashmir, right? India therefore must stop terrorism in both India and Kashmir, Right? Where is the problem? What should India do? Simple! Just stop blaming Pakistan for every thing that takes place on this planet, Right?
i can understand the diplomat's anguish over the 'frenzy' whipped in India over skirmishes on the border. He is telling us to live in quiet dignity - the way people in Lahore and Punjab live - they are cultured enough not to be whipped to a frenzy over killings in other provinces.
@wonderer.......we are wondering what you have been smoking along with the rest of Hindustan! Samjhauta Expres.........remember? Now, who was using terror? What about babri masjid?
@wonderer:
India cannot stop terrorism in Pakistan, right?
WRONG..India can stop terrorism in Pakistan by stopping the supplies of weapon and tactics....Regards
@wonderer: "India cannot stop terrorism in Pakistan, right".. take some analytical/thing skills classes kid. you argument is as weak and dumb as your government/media.
@wonderer: India can also stop the terrorism by not Funding And Giving Weapon to TTP and terrorism in Baluchistan who attack Pakistani army and bases.
I think now we have to change our foreign policy towards India, we are in war with those elements who are involved in terrorism in India and still these Indians always blame us, so please let all the fighters,taliban and other millitants to cross the border which they would love to and let them handle it.
Pakistan has been threatening to expose Indian designs in Baluchistan and everywhere else in Pakistan. Why is no one listening and Pak itself is not exposing Indian designs. Hasnt Pak found its appropriate time and place for that ?? Yet. What a pity. Another water car in the making.
"“We have evidence which we have shared and we are prepared to share with the rest of the world and particularly with the government of India on these aspects about episodes of terrorism in Pakistan,” he said."
So, when you are planning to do it Mr. Bashir. On the day of Judgment, huh !!.
@ wonderer: hahahaha you decided everything in a way which you like and this is the biggest problem with whole india. They take information only which they like, change it according to their likes, show the whole world the thing which you like and make a decision which you like. Listen, We are not bound to you likes. Reverse everything and you will see everything seems right to you is actually wrong.
Pakistan has been sending Lashkars to Kasshmir since 1948. Pakistan has been officially supporting trouble makers in Kashmir. Pakistan funed Haniz Saeed openly on TV talks of Jihad in Kashmir. What is wrong if Indian media raises these issues ? What is wrong if India is paying back in same coins by supporting Balochistan movement ? Is it only Pakistani prerogative to create troubles everywhere ?
@wonderer: You lost a third of your country, right? You have hanging sword of more seperations in three other limbs too, right? Every day in those areas not related to Pakistan people are being killed by local seperatists, right? You rather not read those papers, to get sad, right? Still "wondering" what's is realy going on? I can see that @Blunt: What else do you think took their economy down to back where it was 20years ago? Driving the car through side and rear view mirror.
The way Pakistan is reacting shows DAL ME KUCH KALA HAI.
It is nothing new for Indian media to go overboard on these issues. Pleasantly surprised how Pakistan authorities are reacting. Instead of taking these issues in public, Pakistan authorities should talk straight to Indian authorities. Nobody will not prevent them to talk. They could call Indian ambassador in Islamabad and expressed displeasure. I still donot understand what does " sharp reaction" here mean.
The bottom line is WE all need peace. We need prosperity. We need to fight poverty. The COMMON MAN is more interested for bread than improving relations with Pakistan. Many many survey reports suggest more than 70% of Indian population has no animosity/hatred towards Pakistan and Pakistanis. I am sure rest of the percentage do not have any opinion on this issue.
May be it is good idea to go to " silent mode" for sometime," works hard" in respective countries to improve our lives.
What is the point in going around in circles to tackle a simple problem? Let me make it easy for all including Mr. Bashir. (And, this is not 'literature', Mr. Bashir)
The problem is terrorism, right? So, terrorism must be stopped, right? Pakistan can and should stop terrorism in India, right? India cannot stop terrorism in Pakistan, right? Pakistan therefore must stop terrorism in both India and Pakistan, Right? Where is the problem? What should Pakistan do? Simple! Just stop using its patented weapon named NON-STATE-ACTORS. Right?Why Indians are so keen (and also so farigh) to poke their nose in almost every matter of Pakistan, even those that don't relate them anyway?
At last someone raised voice, this is not new Mr. Bashir. Everyone knows election are coming up in india so they have to play this dirty opera soap to get public votes. Let them do what they want to do through media. They can't dare to do anything as usual.
That's diplomatic slap. Good straight replies.