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Indo-Pak ties: It takes two to tango
The editorial “Setback to dialogue: Pakistan’s intransigence a big roadblock” (July 17) has aptly advised both countries to continue the engagement as it is in the interest of both. But it is also a fact that it takes two to tango. Mere exchange of pleasantries does not make for the realisation of purpose behind the talks and discussions. Given Pakistan’s belligerence and brusqueness over Kashmir and other bilateral issues during the last few weeks, the failure of the much-waited talks between External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna and his Pakistani counterpart Shah Mehmood Qureshi was not entirely unexpected. Pakistan dragged its feet particularly in bringing to justice the perpetrators and conspirators involved in the 26/11 terrorist attacks. Pakistan’s intransigence perhaps arises from its fond hope and wishful thinking of having a strategic depth in Afghanistan and its ability to force Mr Hamid Karzai to end the presence of India in all sectors after the US inglorious exit from his country next year. The wrong policies of the US are responsible for Pakistan’s new-found bluster and bravado.
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It goes without saying that Pakistan’s political leadership is a puppet in the hands of the all-powerful Pakistan army. Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani are just impuissant. Even if they try to make any move to sort out issues with India, the army will use every ruse and scuttle it. Its importance lies in keeping the pot boiling and keeping both countries at daggers drawn. Pakistan Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kayani is openly pulling the strings to have his imprint on every decision taken by the Pakistani leaders. If Pakistan continues to dig in its heels, India must work out another viable strategy to deal with its shenanigans and provocations. Pakistan will try to up the ante over the Kashmir issue and precipitate matters for India further in the coming months. We should, therefore, brace ourselves to tackle any situation arising from a misadventure forced upon us from across the border. For this, first of all, we will have to put our own house in order and speak in one voice. HEMA, Langeri, Hoshiarpur Rotting wheat
To the news reports about lakhs of wheat bags rotting in the open I suggest that a criminal case should be registered against the officials concerned. It is callous wastage of public money. It happens every year and one hears of paddy and wheat bags not being stored properly. All this wastage of money will eventually be recovered from the public through taxes leading to inflation. BAHADUR SINGH, Australia
Political crisis
The politics in Kashmir has made genuine dialogue and socio-political progress almost impossible (B G Verghese’s article “Kashmir crisis as an opportunity”, July 16). No doubt, therefore, the youth, having lived a life of suffering, indignity and unemployment, stand disillusioned with the political leadership, the government, the Opposition, the Hurriyat and even their parental authority. It now appears that periodic violence, a sense of perpetual suspicion and political intervention full of assurances and lies at the same time, have
become a routine. Now even the state of limbo is being taken as normal
even though it erodes the political credibility of the ruling class.
The predictable political rhetoric may satisfy certain sections
of people but do we realise the backwardness–social, economic and
political – which an ordinary Kashmiri is being pushed into? Do we, the common people, understand that our political class, with its habit of ‘passing the buck’ has turned the nation into an unliveable country? With leaders lack of ability to take decisive political action, aren’t they pushing the nation, not just Kashmir, into a state of chaos and anarchy? VED GULIANI, Hisar
Touching farewell
Harish Dhillon’s gratitude to his school in the middle “When words fail”, (July 14) is a touching tribute to the noble profession of teaching. His middles speak volumes of the sincerity of a human being, the sagacity of a scholar and the faithfulness of a father, besides bearing testimony to a righteous person being in tune with the vicissitudes of life. His writings signify the life of a person in harmony. It is natural that the wizard of words is at a loss of words to express the ripeness of his experience. He will now find more time to write beautiful middles for readers. Dr KAMLESH UPPAL, Patiala
Problem of factionalism
The Tribune Editor-in-Chief Raj Chengappa’s interview with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah
(July 16) underlined the functioning of our democracy. The multiparty system in our democracy is proving to be a bane. There is factionalism and groupism in all political parties where elected legislators grab power by hook by or by crook, keeping in abeyance their main task of amelioration and welfare of their voters. The existing groupism in the state governments has stalled the development and economic upliftment of the masses. SUNDER SINGH
GIANI, Dialpura, SAS Nagar
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