Time to grasp the nettle

As one looks back over the past several years, one thing that strikes one is the unfortunate fact that this country has consistently had a bad press. Ever since 9/11 and the subsequent questionable reaction of the powers that be Pakistan appears to have been on the receiving end. The international press has been less than kind, to say the least. Media reports on such events as elicit or, at least deserve, positive comment are invariably twisted to present things in a negative light.

Remember the times when the diplomats of this land, who had the right connections to be posted to such coveted stations as Washington, New York, or London, used to pray that the country got a column or two of mention on the front pages of the lordly press of the area? Not any more. With all the headlines that this land has been cadging day after day, they must be praying for the day when the mention of the country would disappear from the front pages. So many scathingly earthshaking leading articles have appeared in the Western media that one is at a loss as to what — or what not — to quote.

The situation happens to be a tad worse — insofar as the press coverage in our bigger neighbour India is concerned. Ever since Prime Minister Modi came to power along his merry band, not a day passes without the Indian media pointing accusatory fingers at Pakistan for (imagined?) acts of commission or omission.

The past year or so has been especially disappointing insofar as the course of events in our region is concerned. Take the example of our already doddering regional organisation Saarc. The way the Indian government went about sabotaging the summit that was scheduled to be held in Islamabad is nothing short of a tragi-comedy. As it is, given India’s negative attitude over the past several years, Saarc has never really developed the capacity to take off as a vibrant, or even viable, regional grouping. This is a great misfortune, considering the fact that other regional groupings have served not only to assist in resolving contentious issues but also to bring member states closer together for common good. The Association of Southeast Asian Countries is one outstanding example.

For one thing, the elusive political will to move forward is nowhere in evidence in our region. Pious protestations are a poor substitute for positive initiative. India has constantly made no secret of its desire to delay constructive dialogue on regional issues for as long as possible. India’s leadership continues to believe that the more time they gain in the process the greater the prospect of the issues resolving themselves on India’s terms. This is a negative concept that will do the region no good at all. Any member state that believes that its negative tactics will project it as the dominant power in the region is bound to be in for a big disappointment. We are living in the twenty-first century and, what is more, one that is often touted to be ‘Asia’s century’. The world around us is hurtling forward at a dizzying speed. How can the region of South Asia afford to woefully lag behind? Hand in hand, the countries of Saarc region can go places; at one another’s throats they run the risk of being run over by the powers that be. Surely the peoples of South Asia deserve better. And should not the leaders of the said region be concerned about the legacy they will bequeath to the generations to come?

To hark back to the subject one had started this piece with, the Western media is full of mention of our blessed country but with nary a kind word. When going through the venomous stuff published by reputed and reputable papers in the United States, the one question that comes to mind is why can’t they leave our country alone? The conflagration that has been lit all around, thanks to the New World Order ordained by the powers that be, has left an already shaken world staggering.

Let no one forget that nature has the nagging propensity of respecting neither man nor machine. What is more, the best laid plans of men (and mice) are apt to go awry in the transition between virtual reality and ground reality. The time has come to grasp the nettle.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 11^th, 2017.

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