Building upon ‘Amman ki Aasha’
By Momin Iftikhar Momin • Feb 25th, 2010 • Category: Politics • 5 CommentsEquipped with unprecedented tools of mass media communication, two reputed publication houses of India and Pakistan have embarked upon building an environ of peace at a time when bilateral relations of the two neighbors are touching a new nadir. One wishes Times of India and the Jang Group Godspeed in their endeavors to bring peace to a Region when proxy war is ravaging Baluchistan and FATA regions and bomb blasts have acquired a sickening frequency in blood splattered cities of Pakistan. This is the age of information where media plays a major role in shaping opinions and trends. Given a resolve, the venture can prove useful in breaking the negative momentum that has seized diplomatic interaction of the two South Asian nuclear armed neighbors; after all a thousand miles’ journey begins with a single step.
The potential for the ‘Aasha’ campaign, given the dismal state of Indo Pak relations at the time of its launch, couldn’t have been better. The cycle of coercive diplomacy that started with the Indian Parliament Attack on 13 December 2001 and launch of Operation Parakram (Dec 2001-Oct 2002) gave way to the resumption of Composite Dialog Process (CDP) in 2004. The CDP was already sputtering when the Mumbai terror attack materialized but now effectively stands stalled. The Sharm-ul-Sheikh Declaration, whereby the Indian Premier announced to resume the peace process by detaching it from terrorism has been scuttled due to ingrained opposition by the Indian Establishment. The vacuum has been exploited by India to notch up the hostile hysteria at home. Indian media is at the forefront of fanning the fires of acrimony and hatred. Five years of sustained investment in the dialogue with India seems to have evaporated into thin air. A campaign like Aman ki Aasha, should be welcome with open arms but experience has taught us to be circumspect, tempering euphoria with a strong dose of caution.
‘Aasha’ is no novelty. Many similarly noble initiatives have preceded it; candle light vigils on the Independence Day at Wagah Border being one such regular practice. The lack of enthusiasm towards the current venture is explainable because similar efforts in the past have been lacking in sincerity; their manifest motivation being to score brownie points and provide a smoke screen to befuddle public opinion on core issues. Indian media, with a few exceptions, is well wedded to the Indian foreign policy agenda and generally mirrors the hostile attitude of the hard-line establishment. The Times of India despite on the forefront of the Aasha campaign is no exception. A front page item; “US-Pakistan bickering gets ugly as ISI fingers American diplomats” appearing in the Times of India on 9th January 2010 is sheer and unvarnished propaganda and should prove instructive in explaining the point. Appearance of such vitriolic items in Indian press is routine but its appearance in the flag bearer of the ‘Amman ki Aasha’ is heartbreaking; it is sheer hypocrisy. Such duplicity only steels the hardliners and discourages the peaceniks in Pakistan. The Times of India would do well to match intent with action or the ‘Aasha’ campaign runs the risk of turning into a laughing stock.
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I am ex-govt officer. Writing on defense and political analysis, living in Islamabad
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The geographic relation of Pakistan is a challenge with its rival India right next to it. The country can only prosper if it has really good relations with its neighboring countries. Hatred and war will not make this happen as we have seen in the past 62 years. Aman ki asha is a project that I personally back which is also a discouraging factor for the terrorist.
Hope is better than pessimism. However, mentality and perception do not change overnight - it takes quite a patient bearing time. Every time some good thing develops between the two neighboring countries, a sad incident or turnover happens and we go back to 1948. Both countries have deterrents (nukes), both have common borders. Therefore, peace and good relations is the only option for both.
Talking about negative propaganda against ISI by Times of India, so highlighted by the blogger, why blame the newspaper? Perhaps the writer has forgotten Shaheen Sehbai, a so self-claimed journalist of Pakistan (unfortunately) had given a long interview to one Shobha John and that published in Times of India. In that interview, Shaheen Sehbai has painted a horrible picture of ISI. I have some reservations on the past role of ISI and would not hesitate to criticize the same within ourselves but would never ever talk against this sensitive organization to foreign media, what to say to Indian media.
The effort needs to be applauded and given a serious thought. Yes, there could be times when doubt and fears can over-shadow this effort. In times like these both parties, both parties should sit and resolve the issues through a composite dialogue.
India and Pakistan have fought three wars and little has changed on the ground it’s high time that both countries engage in a meaningful dialogue, as we face common problems such as widespread religious extremism, poverty and even malnutrition. The foremost issue remains religious extremism which is the bone of contention between the two nations. As Pakistan is taking up the responsibility to fight extremism our Indian counterparts must also be play their role.
Right After just few days you all participants of this forum shall endorse along with various other forums whereat I have been predicting for the last 7/8 years in crystal clear words that with India to Talk entirely —— WASTAGE of this POOR & IGNORED NATION PRECIOUS TIME.
Once Again Adnan Arshad Mansoori in clear words has been predicting Believe me “JUST WASTAGE of OWN TIME.”
As I do have blind faith on this following Hadith of Prophet Muhammad Ss.
“Try to Conveyance your own Point of View(s) to those who are ready to Listen You – Do Not waste your Money & Precious Time who always Talk with Hanky Panky Just for Divert Your Attention.”
But Real Fact of the Matter & the Core Problem is the leader/teacher of our English Speaking Ruling Elite is AMERICA & BRITAIN instead of Almighty AllahJj & his beloved Prophet Muhammad Ss thus we are bound to waste our precious time & money as well.
Hazoor Ss Kee Paishan-Goi-an & Signs of End of Time-
Tasweer-e-Islam Yeh — Sab Apnee Jagah Qaim-o-Dime-
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheEndtimesigns