These are dangerous times in the subcontinent, and there is a need for Pakistan and India to show restrictions and handle the developments after pahalgama. Unfortunately, India has increased the commitment to blaming Pakistan for the tragedy, without providing credible evidence of the supposed participation of this country in the brutal murder of tourists.
In addition, there have been strident calls, particularly in the Indian media, for ‘revenge’ against Pakistan. This, together with the condemnable measures of New Delhi against Pakistan, such as celebrating the Treaty of the Water of the Indo ‘in suspense’ and more greenhouse links, has created a incendiary atmosphere.
Pakistan announced understandably countermeasures, although perhaps he should have refrained from canceling the visas of the visiting Indians. On Friday, there were shots reports throughout the LOC; Fortunately, the exchange did not become a larger confrontation. But in such circumstances, when mutual trust is low and emotions, fed by irresponsible rhetoric, are high, the possibilities of calculation errors increase significantly. It is due to this volatile situation that the UN Chief has asked both governments to “exercise maximum restriction.”
None of the countries can afford another war. Since independence, Pakistan and India have fought three major wars and several small wars. It is time again to give diplomacy a chance. Unfortunately, many in New Delhi do not see peace with Pakistan as an effort that is being pursued, while the deplorable actions of the regime led by BJP in sustained assumption have contributed to the suffocating atmosphere in the region in dispute. Unless India realizes that strength and threats will not bring peace, the blood spill cycle will continue.
Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has asked India to share any evidence she may have about Pakistan’s alleged participation in Pahalgam’s atrocity “with us and the world.” Unless India does, the opinion that the Modi government is using this country as an scapegoat for its own security failures will only be strengthened. Even voices within India are asking the government to investigate the failure of intelligence. And if reliable potential clients are provided that link dishonest militant elements with the incident, Pakistan must monitor their own investigations.
Indian media must also reconsider their discordant approach to all Pakistan’s things. The media play a central role in the framed public speech. Unfortunately, most of the main outputs of India have shown an aversion to journalistic ethics, mutually surpassing in a hypernational rhetoric. These mischief may have harmful effects of the real world on regional peace.
Instead of enlivening the flames, both sides, particularly India, need to reduce the temperature. Once the Din Nationalist dies, India must accept the fact that without a fair solution to the problem of Kashmir, peace is impossible.
Posted in Dawn, April 26, 2025
