- Sikandar Noorani
It is an undeniable fact that Pakistan has significantly contributed to strengthen the regional peace through concrete efforts. Accelerating on path of peace, while dealing with more than ever offensive India, is not an easy task. Task becomes more difficult once narrow minded short sighted political rivals continue verbal cannonade with poisonous allegations of selling Kashmir to Modi regime. In one way or another, recent ruling regime has to face such cheap character assassination attempts from political rivals. Arrows of criticism came from all quarters; may it be left and right or center of either sides. At a time once India and Pakistan are standing eye ball to eye , almost in a state of war in post Pulwama scenario which got tense after miserable surgical strike at BalaKot coupled with extremely successful downing of two IAF jets in the hands of PAF which came with a bonus arrest and quick release of wing commander Abhinandan. Indo- Pak tensions have seen a new height amid 5th August misadventure in occupied Kashmir from Modi regime. Intense CFVs at LOC and never ending diplomatic tug of war between traditional rivals seems to turn more ferocious and deadly with every passing moment. India can go to any limit to bring Pakistan in kneeling position. Extraordinary activism of New Dehli at FATF forum , to put Pakistan on black list, is just an undeniable proof of Modi regime’s dreadful ways. Despite all these offensive moves, Pakistan kept the positive spirit alive and responded gracefully by promoting harmony. Opening of Kartarpur corridor for Sikh pilgrims is one of the most significant peace initiative of Pakistan to restore regional peace and bi-lateral harmony. Under prevailing tense environment , opening of Kartarpur corridor and talking of peace with India was not an easy step for present government. So called right wing liberal PPP leadership and almost all the right wing religio-political parties unwisely blamed present government for striking some secret deal about Kashmir. Such poisonous and disappointing allegations echoed in GB area which happen to be a part of Kashmir issue . It is not hard to measure the disappointment which these unwise allegations might have caused across LOC among the Kashmiri masses. Difference between New Dehli and Islamabad is hard to ignore! Modi led regime in New Dehli believes in religious bigotry and fanaticism whereas Pakistan emerges as a promotor of inter-faith harmony. Who doesn’t know about violence committed by Sikhs against the Muslims under the leadership of Master Tara Singh at the time of partition? Islamabad broke the chains of past hatred and sowed the seeds of peace and tolerance by extending the hand of cooperation towards Sikh pilgrims who frequently visit their religious holy places situated in Pakistan. Here lies the difference between a Muslim state and a Hindutva infected state ! Since many years, Indian government is causing troubles for Pakistani devotees visiting the shrines of HazratKhuwajaMoinud Din Chishti ra and other great Muslim saints. Even if a handful number of devotees manage to get a visit visa, an unknown fear remains their companion that they are visiting a state where lynching a Muslim for the holiness of cow is considered a good norm. It is not that Pakistan continues to accelerate on path of peace by relegating or ignoring the security obligations. A jaw breaking to Indian aggressions on LOC has always remained a Pakistani tradition. Peace is a desire, being pursued uninterruptedly by Islamabad, whereas security measures in military coins is a compulsion imposed over Pakistan by New Dehli through persistent multiple coercive manipulations. Pakistan’s endeavors towards peace have been widely acknowledged internationally. A significant positive facilitation extended by Islamabad in bringing rival sides at dialogue table in highly complex Afghan arena can not be under played by any unbiased quarter. Leaving aside Indian baseless blame game, all major players , like Russia, China and USA , acknowledge Pak efforts in repairing the damaged areas. So is the case with Iran and KSA, who expressed their trust on Pakistan by accepting a mediation under Islamabad’s facilitation to avert the war in middle east. This positive side of Pakistan should be vigorously projected at all international forums by embassies and consulates. While putting own house in order through expeditious political reconciliation with political rivals at internal front, Islamabad should pursue a major diplomatic campaign at external front to built a pleasant perception basing upon genuine credits held in Pakistan’s credit.
