Indo-Pak relations & Duplicitous policy
By Naveed Baloch • Feb 2nd, 2010 • Category: Politics, Worth A Second Look • 14 CommentsAfter the Mumbai bomb blasts last November, Indian print and electronic media directly criticised Pakistan and tried to create an image of it as a failed state. Non-journalistic and undiplomatic language was used against Pakistan, which brought both countries very close to a terrible war. Timely and truthful analysis and commentary by Pakistani media helped in diffusing the tense situation. This situation begs the question: How much real truth is in the propaganda spread by the Indian government and media against Pakistan?
As far as the question of Ajmal Kassab’s citizenship is concerned, there is no denying that he is a Pakistani and belongs to Pakistani Punjab. It is also a fact that Jamat Dawa is headed by the same people from Lashkar-e-Taiba who were involved in Kashmir Jihad and attacks on the Indian Parliament. There is also no denying the involvement of Hafiz Mohammad Saeed and Maulana Masood Azhar in the jihadi activities.
An airplane was hijacked and held as ransom from Katmandu, Nepal. It was after a long, tense wait and the release of Maulana Masood Azhar that the ordeal ended, so there should not be any hesitation in calling Maulana a “jihadist” or, according to the modern lingo, “a terrorist.” Similarly, we cannot present Hazrat Maulana Sayed Salah-ud-Din, who is the Supreme Commander of the Joint Jihadi Council, as a freedom fighter in front of the world, no matter how much we would like to do so.
Let us discuss the relationship between India and Pakistan, which, due to the sincere efforts of the last government, had become very cordial. After the Mumbai bomb attacks, despite the assurances of full cooperation from the government of Pakistan, India has not shown the level of trust towards Pakistan that everyone was hoping for.
In fact, America, NATO and India realised the duplicitous policy of the Pakistani government regarding the Mujahedeen (Kashmiri and Afghani). The government’s refusal to take any action against Maulana Masood Azhar, Hafiz Mohammad Saeed and (I’d like to make additions to this list on my own) Sayed Salah-ud-Din (Supreme Commander) is a clear example of this policy.
All of the above mentioned people have been directly or indirectly involved in jihadi activities on issues relating to Kashmir and Afghanistan. These activities have not only endangered the peace in the region and the world, but have also tarnished the beautiful image of Islam, as a result of which Muslims around the world are looked down upon. I would like readers to be unbiased and answer my one question: Is it true that Muslims of the world are disgraced due to the idiotic strategies of Al-Qaeda and Taliban?
The relationship between India and Pakistan cannot become normal until the government of Pakistan takes firm and decisive action against aforementioned people. To create trust between the two countries it is necessary to file cases in Pakistani courts against Lashkar-e-Taiba, Joint Jihad Council and the so-called jihadi Hazrat Maulana Masood Azhar because we cannot satisfy the world and India just by putting restrictions on these elements.
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I am an Old Ravian and also accredited media professional from SAMS (South Asian Media School) run by SAFMA (South Asian Free Media Association). I have an experience of production of current affairs programmes in capacity of associate producer with star Asia, Punjab TV, Channel 5 and News One TV in Lahore bureau. Additionally, I have also been working with Rohi TV Lahore as reporter. I have made extensive research in local and regional affairs.
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In response the quesiton posed …. There is a misconception id like to highlight. Islam is an idea. Ideas are absolute. They are neutral. They are neither good or bad, nor positive or negative. However Ideas can be USED in a constructive manner or a distructive fashion. Just like a gun is not good or bad, its the murderer that is bad by virtue of his/her action (murder).
Muslims don’t define Islam. Muslims SHOULD reflect or represent the teaching of Islam but the sad reality is that they dont. Therefore if a muslim is a moron that doesn’t translate to Islam being anything. Islam is an idea. Islam is absolute. Islam is neutral.
Now as far as the charging and trying people is concerned, India would want us to try ALOT of people for crimes against the Indian State. BUT this is a matter of jurisprudence, and accordingly you can’t charge and try people without evidence. According to most western consitutions an accused is innocent until PROVEN guilty. Why then, should we create a perception of guilt around certain individuals without first requiring tangible evidence. And media propaganda and state created perceptions are not considered tangible evidence. Granted, these individuals are considered criminals from an indian perspective but don’t forget that they are Pakistani Citizens before anything. With citizenship comes rights and just to appease a roudy, billigerent neighbor you can’t prosecute and perhaps persecute Pakistani Citizens.
Now if there there is legally actionable evidence established and/or provided against anyone then they should be tried. They should be tried for the harshest possible punishment to set precedent. The trial should be made a-politcal. Instead of making it an india-pakistan issue or terrorism-freedom fight issue make it a human rights issue. Try the accused for crimes against humanity.
So what measures India should take in this regard? or all have to do by us?
Faryal
India has repeatedly said that India is NO THREAT to Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Media-Military-ISI combine simply WANTS TO CREATE a “constant fear” of India so that they can get MORE FUNDING!!!!!
Thats the truth my friend!!
On the question of recent comment by General Kapoor.
As usual , most Pakistanis have MIS-UNDERSTOOD what he said.
It is a well know fact that China and Pakistan are friends. China helps Pakistan a lot.
General Kapoor simply said that India is “preparing” for a two front war.
It means India is “preparing” to protect itself if China-Pakistan jointly attack India.
Thats normal.
If u face a two sided threat then its normal that u will make plans to jointly take on both sides.
India will never be a friend of Pakistan. They are looking for domination in this region. There ally is USA and Pakistan is on the wrong footing right now. They need to look to CHINA and Iran for allies. Believe me that will suit Pakistan. Pleasing USA and INDIA does not.
Good article. Finally someone who calls a spade a spade.
India will not hand over Kashmir but terrorism from Pakistan will not get it either and is no solution. Pakistan should focus on persecuting its own people rather than hope to get more Kashmiri Hindus, Buddhs and others to persecute.
Dear Baloach,
None in Pakistan will accept what you have written about “freedom fighters”. Killing innocents in Mumbai, or attempted killing of Indian parliamentarians ( it is another matter some Indians might have welcomed it!!!!!!!!!) the people who carry out these acts have state patronage from 1947 and i will even call it before as the British Imperialists wanted the sore to continue.They wanted US arms merchants to sell weapons to pakistan and UK will sell to India.But the cycle was broken when USSR entered India and China entred Pakistan. Now the big four are churning the pot so that we brown will export our basmathi ,clothes ,ores ,onyx and software for a song.in return for Arms ofcourse..
Unless pakistanies understand that the Islam which skee is talking about is actually WAHABISM , we have no future. Indian Islam is being replaced in India also by wahabi clerics funded by Saudi arabia.I only expect bangladesh to outperform both of us in 20 years.
@skee. I appreciate the clearing of misconception. Rather it just a few from the huge Muslim population who are giving the religion a bad name by taking innocent lives. Our religion teach love and peace and not violence as these terrorist reflect it.
Interesting argument! From my standpoint I do not see an active Indian role in supporting the Taliban, for the very simple reason India has itself being a victim of terrorism by jihadi outfits such a LET and Jaish-e-Mohammad who are now the collaborating partners of Taliban. So it is not very plausible that they would empower the very same forces who vow to harm them
I believe this is something , with is impossible , PAKISTAN & INDIA can never be friends or pals
Just Nuke Pakistan and Saudi, most of the world’s problems will be solved!
@ Jai ho .. GROW UP and get a life!
@ N. Baloch
With all due respect , what are the three facts re the November mumbai attacks?
1- Kasab was wearing a Hindu religious wristband belonging to Shiv Sena - the extremist
radical ” Hinduists ” terror arm of the BJP. This fact was pointed out by several Pakistani and
even Indian Muslim media journalists.
2- When GEO TV of Pakistan investigative journalist went to the village in Punjab where apparently this ” terrorist ” is from, not one person could confirm this Kassab’s identity or his family’s existence.
When GEO reporters showed his photo to various villagers and even its head elders, not one single person could confirm this person Kassab was from their village. In fact one of the village elders rightly pointed out that the wristband made from thread, was a Hindu religion band, not one a Muslim would ever wear.
3. The Indian government, despite Pakistan’s many requests to give them solid evidence of these
” Pakistani-based terrorists” has not been able to relinquish one single fact or proof that these perpetrators were Pakistani at all.
4. In the immediate first few hours of the mumbai attack, an indian intelligence chief was killed point -blank in a targeted assassination. The indian government has covered up this fact from day one. Why so? The answer is obvious, this intelligence chief was going to bring down some major Shiv Sena terrorists who assissinated several indian military and police figures investigating Shiv Sena’s
extremist fanatical crimes of murder and mayhem.
4. The indian press hyped up the mumbai attack from the first hour of its unfolding by accusing Pakistan as being directly involved. The indians even had the gal - falsely one can point out, to come up with outrageous and inflammatory propaganda that the ” terrorists ” arrived in mumbai by ” boat” off a larger Pakistani flagged ship. These disinformation tactics were a major ” red herring ” in indian media in order to demonize Pakistan and take away attention from the real perpetrators in Shiv Sena who are embedded in the indian media outlets.
5. A major Indian news website interviewed the intelligence chief just a few days before his murder, where he openly accused the violent terrorist Shiv Sena Hindu extremists of murderous crimes against many indian military and law enforcement personal. This chief even mentioned in his interview he may be the next target by Shiv Sena due to his unwavering goal to bring all these terrorists to justice.
These are the facts N. Baloch, whether you and many indians accept them or not. If you had dug deeper for the real truth behind the indian propaganda smokescreen and diabolical cover-up, you
would have a very different point of view. The Pakistan government knows the truth, this is why they are demanding facts and real unfiltered evidence of those involved in the mumbai attacks. The indian government has yet to do so, and are stonewalling these demands.
dear JaiHo!
you have commented my article as follows,
“Just Nuke Pakistan and Saudi, most of the world’s problems will be solved! ;-)”
it means as follows,
1. strike at with firepower or bombs
2. bomb with atomic weapons
3. cook or heat in a microwave oven
so dear i am form pakistan and have tried to give a balance t ouch to situation in the region(south asia)
truley speeking, the comments you have passed, have hurt me lot, because i cant even imagne that a person like you can have such, sorry to say idiotic approach towards regional affairs and finds solution in nuking a country. dear be realistic and listen, india is bigger in power and resources than pakistan and it is its formost duty to step forward and take cofidence building measures.
i hope you would have understood what i mean to say.so don’t ever be abiased nationalist, it is 21st century and mutual survival is complimentary.
regards
naveed baloch
pakistan
Balooch Sb, This is the third generation which sees the tense relationship between the two countries, which we were thought in out textbook are the core enemies of each other from day one. It is also the fact that nearly 70 percent of masses on both side of the border want normal relationship between the two neighboring countries. But there are forces on both sides which don’t want normalization because it will bring a halt to money supply to their pockets which is due to fighting of both neighbors. There are forces whose shops really relay on the tense situation in the sub-continent. Since India is bigger in size it should hold most, at least 60 percent, responsibility of normalizing the relationship. But the facts on ground tells us different story.
But leave this discussion as the both countries can’t come together on state level until and unless the masses of both countries build strong pressure on their leadership to come together. The Media of both countries can and should play a role. Some but influential sect of media wants good relationship. Once good mass to mass contact is developed, the same will provide strong base for composite dialogue resulting in friendly relationship. Let’s defeat the forces that defeat the masses for their self interests.