Pakistan
Should Stop Abetting Terrorism
The continuing violence near the border (Kargil) and the violence
in Amarnath is disturbing. The tension near the Line of Control (LoC)
should be reduced without losing much time. Although General Musharraf
tried to distance himself from "cross-border" (Pakistanis, please
read it as "cross-LoC") terrorism and violence, he would do well by
not abetting it as he seems to have control over jihadis. Pakistan
President's reasoning for ensuring peace in this region that India
and Pakistan together constitute more than one-fifth of the World's
population and the nuclear capability of both the countries, in the
worst eventuality, may turn out destructive should be kept in mind
by all parties concerned in future negotiations. On the same note
this author expects Pakistan not to host International terrorists
like Dawood Ibrahim and the Indian Airlines hijackers for the sake
of peace and good neighbourly relations. If Musharraf does only lip
service (by only condemning the international terrorism and violence
and does not help in containing it), his visit to Rajghat (Gandhiji's
Samadhi) becomes meaningless. Gandhiji, the epitome of non-violence,
would be laughing from his grave. If the homage by Musharraf couple
to Gandhiji at Rajghat is aimed at gaining international attention,
the act of certain section of people to sprinkle Ganges water in Rajghat
after Musharraf left Rajghat is not at all unpleasant.
Constructive Steps
There are many areas in which both the countries have mutual interest
and dependence. Both India and Pakistan should concentrate their talks
on business. India has granted the most favoured nation (MFN) status
to Pakistan. Pakistan has not yet reciprocated this gesture. Without
waiting for 2003 when WTO (World Trade Organization) commitments would
force Pakistan to grant MFN status to India, Pakistan should do this
on its won volition. The trade between the two countries would create
a substantial constituency in the other country with a vested interest
in healthy bilateral relations. According MFN status to India, easing
of Travel restrictions, improvement in trade and commerce between
the two nations, opening an Indian consulate in Karachi, agreement
on multi-billion dollar Indo-Iran gas pipeline project (on which there
is already a certain degree of mutual agreement), transfer of technologies,
exchange of scholars and culture, and building amicability through
sports should take considerable space in future negotiations and form
the broad-based talks. International meetings, conferences, seminars
and workshops are to be encouraged in both the countries. The governments
should rehabilitate all those who have been affected by the war in
Kashmir and help in the return of all refugees and exiles. All kinds
of human rights violation in J&K should be brought to a complete halt.
More stress to be laid on confidence building measures (CBMS) with
respect to nuclear non-proliferation in this region and demilitarization
along the LoC, especially in Siachen Glacier. Both nations should
commit to a "Nuclear Freeze" and no further nuclear testing, development,
deployment and induction of nuclear weapons be carried out. Mutual
reduction in armed forces aimed at freeing resources for meeting people's
social and economic needs should not be delayed.
Musharraf promised that he would personally look into the case of
Prisoners of War (PoW). From Islamabad, he had categorically rejected
that there is not even a single Indian held as a prisoner of war on
his soil. This goes contrary to the statement that was made by Pakistan
human rights commission that there are more than 30 PoWs languishing
in Pakistan jails. Pakistan President should come out clear on this.
Next week, in the concluding part let us focus exclusively on Kashmir
issue and also let us discuss what we can do as responsible citizens.