Politics not a fast bowling game

Talks & Terror cannot go together

Hari Jaisingh

Imran Khan's oath taking ceremony at the President House The world of cricket is an entirely different ball game, whether it is a five-day Test or a T- 20 or 50-over dazzling show. In contrast, political games, whether under a military regime or as part of a half-baked guided democracy under military diktats, are conducted differently as often seen in Pakistan. In any case, the first-time success of Imran Khan and his party Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf (PTI) in the July 2018 general elections must be hailed gracefully.
This has been attributed to the military back-up for the former cricket icon, to the disadvantage of other leaders. I am not going into the rights and wrongs of the Pakistan poll process. This has become a controversial matter globally. Even the US has expressed reservations. However, this is Pakistan’s internal matter. So, it needs to be left to the people there.
However, the main question for us is not one of the decisive role played by the all-powerful Generals in running critical policy and strategic affairs of their country. This has been a harsh ground reality for decades, especially with regard to India and Afghanistan and related matters. An added factor in Pakistan’s socio-political operations for more than a decade has been the emergence of radical Islamist groups there, from the Taliban to JeM and LeT, with clear ISI and army support.
The “proxy war” of terrorism was, of course, the brain-child of General Zia-ul-Haq to grab Kashmir by hook or by crook.
These Pak-sponsored terror games have acquired sinister dimensions to spread fear and hatred in the name of Islam the world over. These terror games were first started in a big way under the patronage of Osama Bin Laden, a rich fugitive from Saudi Arabia.

Ironically, resort to terrorism by misusing religion has boomeranged on Pakistan. No wonder, Islamabad today stands at the crossroads of its future.

Pakistan’s new firebrand politician, Imran Khan, is known to have enjoyed full support from Islamabad’s military establishment. What is worrying for New Delhi is the support Imran is said to have received from various terrorist groups. These terrorist groups have thrived with the back-up of the ISI and the Pakistan army to upset India’s strategic interests in the Kashmir Valley and beyond.

President Xi Jinping has formalised the Beijing-Islamabad axis Pakistan’s new fire-brand politician, Imran Khan, is known to have enjoyed full support from Islamabad’s military establishment. What is worrying for New Delhi is the support Imran is said to have received from various terrorist groups. We all know that these terrorist groups have thrived with the back-up of the ISI and the Pakistan army to upset India’s strategic interests in the Kashmir Valley and beyond. Chinese President Xi Jinping has now formalised the Beijing-Islamabad axis. This, too, raises quite a few critical issues for New Delhi.

Will they be able to set the pace for better Indo-Pak ties ? The moot point is: will Imran Khan as Prime Minister be a mere puppet in the hands of the military establishment? Second, will terrorist groups operate freely across the Valley as they have been doing for decades? If so, then what to make of India’s MEA spokesperson Ravesh Kumar’s hope that “the new government of Pakistan will work constructively to build a safe, stable, secure and developed South Asia free of terror and violence?”
Well, I share the sentiments and hope of Ravesh Kumar for better ties with Islamabad. Still, I prefer to keep my fingers crossed till Imran Khan begins playing a positive role for peace and development in the subcontinent, as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said in his greetings message to the Pakistan Prime Minister-elect who won a plurality of the vote for the high position.
True, Imran is known to have a sharp focus and determination. If he picks up the right lessons from the history of the subcontinent’s turmoil and gets set to “walk the extra mile for peace” with India, then his swinging balls and sixers could set the pace for new India- Pakistan relations. A lot will depend on Pakistan’s approach and attitudes on resolving the Kashmir issue.

I have no instant answer to the long prevalent anti-India hysteria of various Pakistan leaders. From my personal experience, the only exception to this anti- India pattern was Nawaz Sharif who has virtually been sidelined and marginalised by the military establishment.

Interestingly, Imran Khan on August 22 expressed his desire to initiate talks with India and start trading talks in order to resolve conflicts, including Kashmir, eradicate poverty and provide a better quality life to the people of the two neighbouring countries.

Fine. There should be no problem in resuming a meaningful India-Pakistan Dialogue. But, the military ISIsponsored terrorists’ bullets in the Valley and bilateral talks cannot go together. Has Imran

Indian leaders, experts and diplomats have to be cool and calculating, having proper assessment of happenings in Pakistan. Everything emanating from Islamabad has to be taken with a pinch of salt. If we accept this proposition, it will, probably, be easier for South Block to work out right responses to Islamabad’s armysponsored moves that have caused problems to India for decades.

Navjot Singh Sidhu hugs Pak Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa Khan taken clearance from his Generals before spelling out publicly his peace “intentions” for talks with New Delhi. India does not want to be, once again, caught in the crossfire of bilateral talks and bullets from the across the borders and the “proxy war” of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.
The question here is not “unofficial hugging” of “cricketer “ Navjot Singh Sidhu with Pakistan General Qamar Javed Bajwa.
This “hugging business” has been going on at various levels globally all the time. But this does not help solve differences and problems, if the mindset at the other side remains opaque… This has been India’s experience for decades.
Fathoming the Pakistan mind has generally been a major headache for Indian politicians, experts and diplomats. Very few leaders here could see Pakistan in true colours. The question is not who is a hawk or who is a dove, but of getting facts straight and evolving a right approach and responses. The real question before South Block is: “What lies behind Imran Khan’s mind?” I have no instant answer to this question against the backdrop of anti-India hysteria of various Pakistan leaders. From my personal experience, the only exception to this anti-India pattern was Nawaz Sharif who has virtually been sidelined and marginalised by the military establishment. One of his crimes, it is believed, has been his independent stance adopted without taking into confidence the all-powerful army Generals for building bridges of understanding with India mainly for promoting bilateral trade.
In the circumstances, what is needed is a clear perception of Imran Khan’s government sworn in on August 18.
Indian leaders, experts and diplomats have to be cool and calculating, having proper assessment of happenings in Pakistan. Everything emanating from Islamabad has to be taken with a pinch of salt. If we accept this proposition, it will, probably, be easier for South Block to work out right responses to Islamabad’s army-sponsored moves that have caused problems to India for decades. It needs to be stated that understanding the mindset of those at the helm of affairs in Islamabad will not be easy. They invariably play games, both with the gun and without it. So, the changing ground realities in Pakistan have to be constantly kept in mind. Equally crucial is the firming up of varied options to meet various situations at different times.
Looking at the nature of complications and the neverending Pakistan propaganda, New Delhi has no choice but to keep its diplomats on their toes so that they do their homework properly and keep world leaders well-informed about what is what and who is what on the other side of the border. There is no need to be apologetic about what our country stands for.
It has only to vigorously pursue its national interests and objectives with determination. In fact, there has to be a sense of pride in India’s democratic values of liberalism and secularism the country stands for. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government and the Sangh Parivar have to correct certain aberrations in their functioning. I am sorry to say that the ruling class today does not understand the problem of India’s “imagebuilding” which has to be part of the country’s democratic spirit; tolerance, liberalism and secularism. Also, what is disquieting is that New Delhi and Srinagar continue to be oscillating between confusion and uncertainty to the advantage of Islamabad.
India will have to find its own answers to break Pakistan’s orbit as well as nexus with the spectre of terrorism. It is a pity that the ISI and extremist Islamic groups PM House in Islamabad continue to help the Al-Qaeda and diehard Taliban fighters with two objectives: First, to use them in Kashmir and upset India’s strategic interests and secular credentials there.

Second, to keep the Pashtuns divided as Pakistan views Kabul as a client state against New Delhi. We have to wait and watch how Imran Khan conducts himself in the crucial months ahead. I personally wish him all the success for building Pakistan as a welfare state for the betterment of people. India can be a big asset for Imran’s onerous tasks ahead. Let us see how he emerges as a politician with a difference!
Good luck to Imran Khan’s Pakistan, where most leaders still retain in a feudal mindset !

Imran keeps his word

PM House in Islamabad I must take this opportunity to bring into focus one part of Imran Khan’s victory speech which is equally relevant to Indian leaders as well. Imran Khan said :
“I will live humbly” ….., “end the VIP culture….” and make a ‘Naya Pakistan !” “Our government will decide what we will do with PM House. I would be ashamed to live in such a lavish house. The house will be converted into an educational institution or something of the sort for the welfare of the people… “So far we have seen that everyone who comes to power changes. That will not happen with me. I decided to join politics 22 years back when I saw collapse of governance system and corruption in Pakistan. I wanted Pakistan to become the country that my leader Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had dreamed of.”
It is heartening to note Imran Khan has already shifted to a moderate house, earlier allotted to PM’s military secretary. I hope Imran would now be true to all his words. That will be quite a lesson for all developing countries, including India. For the present, I do not wish to mix up matters. Perhaps, I shall discuss one day separately the kind of lavish living style our leaders indulge in under the pretext of security etc. In a vibrant democracy like ours, the people living below the poverty line and in inhuman conditions ought to be a top priority and challenge to our leaders.



		EDITOR'S MAIL EDITOR'S COMMENT FRANKLY SPEAKING REALPOLITIK ISI WEB DRUG MENACE IN PUNJAB FARMERS' LOAN WINDOW ON M.P. HIMACHAL AGONY LOOKING BACK SIGNS OF THE TIMES PAKISTAN TODAY DRAGON DRILL IN TIBET MODI'S DIPLOMACY GLOBAL AFFAIRS REVIEW ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS HITS & MISSES DIARY BOOK BAZAAR BOOK BAZAAR CHANGING TIMES THIRD SEX YOGA IN DAILY LIFE A SPRITUAL GURU ART OF LIVING Issue:August' 2018 Subscribe Now	‘IMRAN’S PAKISTAN’ Politics not a fast bowling game Talks & Terror cannot go together Hari Jaisingh Imran Khan's oath taking ceremony at the President House The world of cricket is an entirely different ball game, whether it is a five-day Test or a T- 20 or 50-over dazzling show. In contrast, political games, whether under a military regime or as part of a half-baked guided democracy under military diktats, are conducted differently as often seen in Pakistan. In any case, the first-time success of Imran Khan and his party Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf (PTI) in the July 2018 general elections must be hailed gracefully. This has been attributed to the military back-up for the former cricket icon, to the disadvantage of other leaders. I am not going into the rights and wrongs of the Pakistan poll process. This has become a controversial matter globally. Even the US has expressed reservations. However, this is Pakistan’s internal matter. So, it needs to be left to the people there. However, the main question for us is not one of the decisive role played by the all-powerful Generals in running critical policy and strategic affairs of their country. This has been a harsh ground reality for decades, especially with regard to India and Afghanistan and related matters. An added factor in Pakistan’s socio-political operations for more than a decade has been the emergence of radical Islamist groups there, from the Taliban to JeM and LeT, with clear ISI and army support. The “proxy war” of terrorism was, of course, the brain-child of General Zia-ul-Haq to grab Kashmir by hook or by crook. These Pak-sponsored terror games have acquired sinister dimensions to spread fear and hatred in the name of Islam the world over. These terror games were first started in a big way under the patronage of Osama Bin Laden, a rich fugitive from Saudi Arabia. Ironically, resort to terrorism by misusing religion has boomeranged on Pakistan. No wonder, Islamabad today stands at the crossroads of its future. Pakistan’s new firebrand politician, Imran Khan, is known to have enjoyed full support from Islamabad’s military establishment. What is worrying for New Delhi is the support Imran is said to have received from various terrorist groups. These terrorist groups have thrived with the back-up of the ISI and the Pakistan army to upset India’s strategic interests in the Kashmir Valley and beyond. President Xi Jinping has formalised the Beijing-Islamabad axis Pakistan’s new fire-brand politician, Imran Khan, is known to have enjoyed full support from Islamabad’s military establishment. What is worrying for New Delhi is the support Imran is said to have received from various terrorist groups. We all know that these terrorist groups have thrived with the back-up of the ISI and the Pakistan army to upset India’s strategic interests in the Kashmir Valley and beyond. Chinese President Xi Jinping has now formalised the Beijing-Islamabad axis. This, too, raises quite a few critical issues for New Delhi. Will they be able to set the pace for better Indo-Pak ties ? The moot point is: will Imran Khan as Prime Minister be a mere puppet in the hands of the military establishment? Second, will terrorist groups operate freely across the Valley as they have been doing for decades? If so, then what to make of India’s MEA spokesperson Ravesh Kumar’s hope that “the new government of Pakistan will work constructively to build a safe, stable, secure and developed South Asia free of terror and violence?” Well, I share the sentiments and hope of Ravesh Kumar for better ties with Islamabad. Still, I prefer to keep my fingers crossed till Imran Khan begins playing a positive role for peace and development in the subcontinent, as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said in his greetings message to the Pakistan Prime Minister-elect who won a plurality of the vote for the high position. True, Imran is known to have a sharp focus and determination. If he picks up the right lessons from the history of the subcontinent’s turmoil and gets set to “walk the extra mile for peace” with India, then his swinging balls and sixers could set the pace for new India- Pakistan relations. A lot will depend on Pakistan’s approach and attitudes on resolving the Kashmir issue. I have no instant answer to the long prevalent anti-India hysteria of various Pakistan leaders. From my personal experience, the only exception to this anti- India pattern was Nawaz Sharif who has virtually been sidelined and marginalised by the military establishment. Interestingly, Imran Khan on August 22 expressed his desire to initiate talks with India and start trading talks in order to resolve conflicts, including Kashmir, eradicate poverty and provide a better quality life to the people of the two neighbouring countries. Fine. There should be no problem in resuming a meaningful India-Pakistan Dialogue. But, the military ISIsponsored terrorists’ bullets in the Valley and bilateral talks cannot go together. Has Imran Indian leaders, experts and diplomats have to be cool and calculating, having proper assessment of happenings in Pakistan. Everything emanating from Islamabad has to be taken with a pinch of salt. If we accept this proposition, it will, probably, be easier for South Block to work out right responses to Islamabad’s armysponsored moves that have caused problems to India for decades. Navjot Singh Sidhu hugs Pak Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa Khan taken clearance from his Generals before spelling out publicly his peace “intentions” for talks with New Delhi. India does not want to be, once again, caught in the crossfire of bilateral talks and bullets from the across the borders and the “proxy war” of terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. The question here is not “unofficial hugging” of “cricketer “ Navjot Singh Sidhu with Pakistan General Qamar Javed Bajwa. This “hugging business” has been going on at various levels globally all the time. But this does not help solve differences and problems, if the mindset at the other side remains opaque… This has been India’s experience for decades. Fathoming the Pakistan mind has generally been a major headache for Indian politicians, experts and diplomats. Very few leaders here could see Pakistan in true colours. The question is not who is a hawk or who is a dove, but of getting facts straight and evolving a right approach and responses. The real question before South Block is: “What lies behind Imran Khan’s mind?” I have no instant answer to this question against the backdrop of anti-India hysteria of various Pakistan leaders. From my personal experience, the only exception to this anti-India pattern was Nawaz Sharif who has virtually been sidelined and marginalised by the military establishment. One of his crimes, it is believed, has been his independent stance adopted without taking into confidence the all-powerful army Generals for building bridges of understanding with India mainly for promoting bilateral trade. In the circumstances, what is needed is a clear perception of Imran Khan’s government sworn in on August 18. Indian leaders, experts and diplomats have to be cool and calculating, having proper assessment of happenings in Pakistan. Everything emanating from Islamabad has to be taken with a pinch of salt. If we accept this proposition, it will, probably, be easier for South Block to work out right responses to Islamabad’s army-sponsored moves that have caused problems to India for decades. It needs to be stated that understanding the mindset of those at the helm of affairs in Islamabad will not be easy. They invariably play games, both with the gun and without it. So, the changing ground realities in Pakistan have to be constantly kept in mind. Equally crucial is the firming up of varied options to meet various situations at different times. Looking at the nature of complications and the neverending Pakistan propaganda, New Delhi has no choice but to keep its diplomats on their toes so that they do their homework properly and keep world leaders well-informed about what is what and who is what on the other side of the border. There is no need to be apologetic about what our country stands for. It has only to vigorously pursue its national interests and objectives with determination. In fact, there has to be a sense of pride in India’s democratic values of liberalism and secularism the country stands for. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government and the Sangh Parivar have to correct certain aberrations in their functioning. I am sorry to say that the ruling class today does not understand the problem of India’s “imagebuilding” which has to be part of the country’s democratic spirit; tolerance, liberalism and secularism. Also, what is disquieting is that New Delhi and Srinagar continue to be oscillating between confusion and uncertainty to the advantage of Islamabad. India will have to find its own answers to break Pakistan’s orbit as well as nexus with the spectre of terrorism. It is a pity that the ISI and extremist Islamic groups PM House in Islamabad continue to help the Al-Qaeda and diehard Taliban fighters with two objectives: First, to use them in Kashmir and upset India’s strategic interests and secular credentials there. Second, to keep the Pashtuns divided as Pakistan views Kabul as a client state against New Delhi. We have to wait and watch how Imran Khan conducts himself in the crucial months ahead. I personally wish him all the success for building Pakistan as a welfare state for the betterment of people. India can be a big asset for Imran’s onerous tasks ahead. Let us see how he emerges as a politician with a difference! Good luck to Imran Khan’s Pakistan, where most leaders still retain in a feudal mindset ! Imran keeps his word PM House in Islamabad I must take this opportunity to bring into focus one part of Imran Khan’s victory speech which is equally relevant to Indian leaders as well. Imran Khan said : “I will live humbly” ….., “end the VIP culture….” and make a ‘Naya Pakistan !” “Our government will decide what we will do with PM House. I would be ashamed to live in such a lavish house. The house will be converted into an educational institution or something of the sort for the welfare of the people… “So far we have seen that everyone who comes to power changes. That will not happen with me. I decided to join politics 22 years back when I saw collapse of governance system and corruption in Pakistan. I wanted Pakistan to become the country that my leader Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah had dreamed of.” It is heartening to note Imran Khan has already shifted to a moderate house, earlier allotted to PM’s military secretary. I hope Imran would now be true to all his words. That will be quite a lesson for all developing countries, including India. For the present, I do not wish to mix up matters. Perhaps, I shall discuss one day separately the kind of lavish living style our leaders indulge in under the pretext of security etc. In a vibrant democracy like ours, the people living below the poverty line and in inhuman conditions ought to be a top priority and challenge to our leaders.