The photo to the left shows stormy clouds gathering over Islamabad on December 16, 2008.
Today, which is just six days later from when this photo was taken, I believe there is another storm brewing in Islamabad on its political and foreign relations front. Not withstanding the conspiracy theories still circling around in Pakistan, there is growing consensus in the rest of the world that Pak-based elements were behind Mumbai attacks. Gordon Brown served a notice to Pakistan during his visit and it seems that the U.S. agrees. Moreover the steps Pakistan has taken so far haven’t been very convincing. India has called a meeting of its envoys throughout the world to discuss next steps. The last time such a meeting was called was before the 1971 war. This has led the U.S to send Adm. Mullen back to Pakistan for a second time in as many weeks. Meanwhile Pakistan high commission in India has confirmed that it has received a letter from Ajmal Kasab.
Here is an article from Dawn and the Washington Post Editorial on this very issue:
(i) The daily Dawn
(ii) The Washington Post
The last time Pakistan was so isolated diplomatically against India was during the aftermath of Kargil.
In another development Pakistan Airforce suspended commercial flights in major Pakistani cities today and did a low altitude fly-by as part of their increased vigil.
One can only hope that our leaders especially the security establishment can comprehend the gravity of the situation and take steps in the right direction.
Photo Credits: Title photo is courtesy of Abid Zia at Associated Press of Pakistan.
Pakistan needs to own up. All we hear is denial, obfuscation, blame someone else (pick your favorite). The political system isn’t up to the task, and neither is the military.
Pakistanis need to wake up and see where they are at this point: an insurgency seeking to wrench the NWFP out of Pakistan. Another low level insurgency in Baluchistan that could easily get out of control. Bad elements groomed to fight in Kashmir now out to bring India and Pakistan to war. Pakistan is widely regarded internationally as a failed state, unable to control its people or its borders.
What if Pakistan vowed to join the comity of progressive nations? Put education and human development ahead of militarism and feudalism. Come clean on terror and put its economic house in order. Build a 21st century infrastructure and let its people be free to create, innovate, build.
Forget Unity, Faith, Discipline. Pakistan’s motto should be “Physician, heal thyself”. The middle-class, which stands to lose the most from the current situation, needs to wake up and stand up to counted so their children can have a future in Pakistan.
I think you and the press is over-reacting. Both India and Pakistan goverments have said they are not interested in war and the media and media just wants this to become big news because war news sells.
Meanwhile, the real war against Pakistan continues which as others have said is the extremists killing Pakistanis every day and the Americans killing even more with their drones!
Yes, you are right, it is our friends we need to worry about more than our enemies.
This troop movement is now becoming scary. Can someone tell the two governments to back off.
I am disappointed to see you also adding to the hysteria. This is just the two governments trying to drum up fear for political gain. Both Indian and Pakistan governments are doing the same that they always do. And the publics of both countries are falling for it.
The real threat to Pakistan remains the mad Taliban killers and no one is worrying about them. Why?
Because the extremists have been successful in diverting attention from themselves to elsewhere and now the media and governments in both countries are very much doing exactly what they wanted. How sad.
In my opinion Pakistan should take aggressive steps over any Indian action.
pakistan should show his military power this time to break-up india into uncountable parts. So that India wont be able to do such things in future. India is going to be victim of terror act by trying to bring Pakistan into pressure,
So as part of “War Against Terror” Pakistan should be strict againt any terrorism Indian govt is going to do.