The ‘us’ versus ‘them’ division is all well and good but it needs to be replaced by the collective ‘what if we…’
KARACHI: For me, there are some outstanding lessons that the people of both India and Pakistan should learn from the cricket World Cup semi-final. The first is that the existence of God is shared by all of humanity and that He does not size up people (according to their particular religion or beliefs) while answering their prayers. Second, we can fight on the playing field without suffering a single casualty.
Unfortunately for them, both countries have left it to events to define the extent and type of their relationship which is why it falls apart when something like the Samjhota Express bombing happens or when non-state actors carry out a terrorist attack, such as in Mumbai. Yet we come close again when our cricket teams take to the field.
The ‘us’ versus ‘them’ division is all well and good but it needs to be replaced by the collective ‘what if we…’ question since that refers to the collective benefit of around 1.4 billion people. This can only happen if we think in strategic terms and stop being blackmailed and hindered by a small minority in both countries whose only agenda is for the countries to be in a constant state of confrontation. We need to understand that for us, conflict and aggression is not a choice, it is only an option, and a bad one at that.
We have the choice of creating an environment of peace, security and stability for the people of both countries. In this regard, the question of ‘how’ this is to be done is particularly important. What we need is for the political leadership on both sides to find a way forward and resolve all outstanding issues on the negotiating table and not the battlefield. And our cricketers have shown us the way.
Lt-Col (retd) Muhammad Ali Ehsan
Published in The Express Tribune, April 02nd, 2011.
