MIXED messages, retractions and clarifications from the government have become an all-too-common occurrence when it comes to matters of foreign policy. Not only does this undermine the efforts of those in the foreign service, it also doesn’t help the country’s image in the international arena. Recently, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi himself stirred controversy when he called India’s scrapping of Article 370 of its constitution an “internal matter”. His comment caused an uproar here and abroad for good reason. India has historically rebuffed Pakistan’s position advocating dialogue on India-held Kashmir by insisting that the latter is an ‘internal matter’. For Mr Qureshi to then use the same phrase in a discussion on Article 370 the revocation of which has been firmly rejected by Pakistan is truly astonishing. The foreign minister later tweeted that “nothing about Jammu and Kashmir can be India’s internal matter”, but his clarification only makes his i
The writer is the author of No-Win War The Paradox of US-Pakistan Relations in Afghanistan’s Shadow.
GOVERNANCE has never been the Imran Khan administration’s forte but his government’s incompetence in running foreign affairs is truly calamitous. The prime minister’s perception of diplomacy is as flawed as his populist politics. His virtual address to Pakistani envoys serving in different world capitals last week not only exposed a limited understanding of diplomacy but also a disdain for the foreign service.
Senior diplomats were censured live on TV channels. It was unprecedented and extremely humiliating. Diplomats were accused of acting callously towards the Pakistani diaspora and harbouring a colonial mindset. They were told that their Indian counterparts were more proactive.
Bekhudi besabab nahin Ghalib
(Distraction is not without reason, Ghalib
Something’s afoot that is being veiled)
FOR Pakistan, the prospect of reduced tension with a larger adversary should be welcome. Extended backchannel contacts, a revival of the LoC ceasefire, an exchange of messages between the prime ministers, Pakistan’s offer of Covid-19 relief assistance to India, and possible negotiations on “all outstanding issues, including Jammu and Kashmir”, should be cause for cautious optimism. However, important questions remain which will be answered one way or another soon enough.
Reportedly, Modi took the initiative. Why? Is it because he is politically weakened by the gross and tragic mishandling of the pandemic which has now been reflected in significant defeats in three out of five state elections? Have military setbacks in confrontations with China led to fears of a China-Pakistan alliance against India’s regional aspirations? Has Biden’s reliance on Pakistan to
Pakistan suggests medical corridor for people of occupied Kashmir
The Parliamentary Committee on Kashmir on Wednesday urged the United Nations, World Health Organisation and International Committee of the Red Cross to set up an international humanitarian medical corridor to help provide medical support to the people of India-held Kashmir (IHK).
The call was made during an emergent session of the committee held in view of the fast deteriorating Covid-19 situation in IHK.
Addressing the meeting, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said that the primary concern was humanity and a global answer was required to deal with the pandemic.
“Situation in India is delicate and being a neighbour, Pakistan is concerned. Pakistan offered assistance due to the challenging situation. We have not received any response from India yet. Illegally Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) is also suffering and we feel very strongly as we are connected to them historically and religiously,” he sa