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.
My Paki friends find it convenient to raise issue of Antulay. Why can’t u raise your voice in the same pitch against the role of Pak Army in Politics. And what abt Nawaz Sharif…….he retracted from his earlier statement………..wasn’t he silenced……….perhaps thats a question that u all dont find convenient.
@Nihari,
Thank you for the link to the Asia Times online article; well worth reading. The article is written by an Indian who, of course, has a soft corner for India, but it must be one of those relatively rare acts of realism in Indian journalism.
Again, the article is well worth reading–every word of it.
I even propose to discuss that article in ATP. I have been disappointed by the jingoistic and simplistic internet blogspace by both Indians and Pakistanis post-Mumbai. However, Indian electronic/print media based out of India puts even Fox News to shame in its ‘journalism’.
ATP remains the only one, in my knowledge, where Indians and Pakistanis can exchange views without breathing too much fire.
sorry
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/JL25Df02.h tml
another interesting read
This is the real face of India. The sabre rattling and war mongering will subside once the political dividends have been realized. I just hope that we Pakistanis don’t forget the reality of them in our future relations with the enemy next door.
The politicians who were running roughshod through decades of deterrent policies should also reexamine their exuberance. If we cower today we will damn our nation to forever submission.