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Pakistan gives nightmares to the US

HK. DUA’s front-page article, “Pakistan giving nightmares to US” (May 20), aptly depicts the self-created stalemate by the super power. First, it went whole hog in the disintegration of Yogoslavia. The turmoil caused in Bosnia, Crotia and other small states by the Nationalistic Serbians ended in the disruption of centuries-old society. The invasion of Iraq will remain a horrible blunder of the history, though one cannot support Saddam’s dictatorial rule.

One cannot say for certain if the US and Pakistan are sincere to wipe out the Al-Qaeda and the Taliban from the Federal Administered Area of Pakistan, reports of nightmares notwithstanding. The terrorists’ designs beyond Lahore remain under cover. Much now depends on the saner elements in India and Pakistan and the governments in both countries. It is an acid test for the leaders of both countries to learn from history that equity, peace and harmony are the need of the hour rather than religious fundamentalism.

Lt-Col CHANAN SINGH DHILLON (retd), Ludhiana

II

Mr Dua aptly says that there are four centres of power in Pakistan but none is in a position to have the last shots to contain the problem. So is the case with the US which is finding itself to be a mute spectator. This is due to the likely changing scenario in the US, following the presidential elections there.

For India, however, there could be another picture. India is suffering from terrorist attacks now and then. One must ensure that these obnoxious elements lose ground in the civilised society. Those at the helm of affairs must act swiftly and root out the blight of terrorism.

R. K. MALHOTRA, Chandigarh

III

Maj-Gen Himmat Singh Gill’s suggested measures (May 21) endorse Mr Dua’s assessment of the emerging situation in neighbourhood (May 20). The scourge of terrorism is not confined to one state or region; it has threatened all countries. We have too much at stake for India. The extremists will relish the weakening of Pakistan.

If strong-arm methods alone could curb terrorism, the US and the UK would be fully protected. So, both India and Pakistan have a mutual interest to combat this menace that threatens peace, stability and development.

Capt S.K. DATTA, Abohar

IV

The ground reality is that the US policy on Pakistan is falling apart and after the new government took office in Pakistan, American interests are waning in Pakistan as well as in Afghanistan.

For all purposes, the US policy on Pakistan and terrorism is outdated as Pakistan has an elected government today which alone could dictate terms to bring normalcy in the tribal areas and Afghanistan by signing a peace deal with the Taliban and Al Qaeda.

SUNDER SINGH GIANI, Dialpura (Mohali)

Obsession with cricket Why are the print media and television channels obsessed with cricket? They have been giving too much coverage to the IPL matches. The electronic media is to be blamed for the sorry state of other sports. The recent win by the hockey team in Malaysia deserved coverage. We even don’t know the names of the players in various sports other than cricket. A minor incident of Harbhajan slapping Sreeshanth is telecast round the clock by all the news channels. The media should play its part and give equal coverage to all sports and not just favour cricket. The television channels should cover the players of other sports too, not just cricket. L. GYANESHWARI, Chandigarh