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.
Dr. Najam, saw your commentary on Dawn TV’s morning show today. Yo were brilliant and right on target. I hope someone at the foreign office was listening and would follow your advice on how to handle this crisis.
Wasim, I disagree the rejoinder is on a tangent – in fact, it is quite spot on and addresses every single point of Arundhati’s. But perhaps you don’t have the context that an Indian would that would make the points made more obvious.
@Concerned:
Forget about the price Pakistan has to pay. World is a place where a country can walk away without paying anything if only it has the guts to do so.
Pakistan has done nothing wrong. What justification does India has that the terrorists are from Pakistan? Is Interpol stupid too? They (interpol) too are saying India has shared no evidence with Pakistan. Countries are only going to side with India because they see some advantage in it for themselves. Many ‘important’ economies of the World are based on war. War generates jobs for them. It boosts their economies and production. And this financial slowdown is the perfect opportunity for soon to be poorer nations like India to unite their otherwise delusioned population. Inshallah their efforts will fail (Ameen).
Just because majority of 9/11 hijackers were Saudi doesn’t mean KSA has to be punished. Just because Indian consulates along Pak-Afghan border provide funds and equipment to support insurgency in Pakistan doesn’t mean whole of India has to be taken out.
There is a widespread fear among Pakistanis of ‘invading armies’ and of war.
Well, to all of you, look to your neighbor Iran. Although I don’t favor them BUT just look at their stance. They say, fine you wanna fight with us, we are ready, bring it on!
They are what you say in urdu ‘ nidar’ which means they are fearless. I ask what ‘equipment’ or ‘weaponry’ does Iran boast? But then again, no nation in the World dare attack them. We have to learn to be self-reliant and to portray ourselves as achievers and as powerful and fearless. That is the only way we will progress and that is the only time when our pesky neighbours like India and Afghanistan will learn to obey us and to respect us.
Learn from your elders who fearlessly migrated to Pakistan and those who fought in wars to protect Pakistan. You have a strong and brave history Pakistanis! Use it!
Mr Ismail
You seem to be pleading the Indian case. What should the Pakistan government do? Really? I am glad the Interpol chief has landed in Pakistan after a trip to India and he has in fact let the cat out of the bag. He has said in very clear terms that India has not shared any information with Interpol and Pakistan. All he has heard is what millions have herd…from TV and press. Should we react on the basis of solid facts or on the basis of the level of noise the Indians are making. They are high on decibels and rhetoric but low on substance. Let them forward some real intelligence and names instead of the ‘laundry list’ they have been pushing forward for 8-9 years now. Who are the people who trained these terrorists. Let Qasab be interrogated jointly. Americans will say what suits them politically but we should not be mere pushovers. We are central to their standing in the region and must not blink.
Worth reading the underlying dynamics of current affairs…
http://www.counterpunch.org/prashad12232008.html