JUBAIL, SAUDI ARABIA:
At last, there is some good news for the subcontinent’s cricket lovers — Pakistan is going to play on Indian soil in December. The Indian government has permitted its national cricket board to revive the archrivals’ cricket ties on its home ground and not on the borrowed grounds in faraway lands. The Mumbai attacks of 2008 led to the suspension of bilateral tours and this was exactly the kind of outcome the terrorists were aiming for — to derail any openness that may develop between these two feuding countries. Since gaining independence in 1947, both countries have been at each other’s throats over the most trivial and not-so-trivial issues. Being the smaller country, Pakistan suffered the most in the economic and social development sectors as it had to unnecessarily compete with India on the military front.
Now, it is high time that both countries took a pause. If they do want to fight, let it be on the cricket field. Other areas of competition should include poverty alleviation, education, healthcare and shelter for all segments of society and the elimination of religious and sectarian hatred. But there is a need to watch out for terrorists and extremist elements on both sides of the border as these will be getting ready to attack the hopes of peace and prosperity.
Masood Khan
Published in The Express Tribune, November 16th, 2012.
