If Asif Ali Zardari's visit this Sunday — the first by a democratic leader of Pakistan since Zulfikar Ali Bhutto travelled to Simla in 1972 — is an indication of the opportunities that lie ahead on the bilateral front, the $10 million price placed by the U.S. on Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed's head is a reminder of the enormous challenges still remaining. For New Delhi, wisdom lies in not allowing national exultation over the American bounty to colour its expectations of this private — but significant — presidential visit. Hafiz Saeed is as much an enemy of India as he is of democracy in Pakistan and there is little point in reminding Mr. Zardari of his powerlessness in the face of the Lashkar chief's uniformed patrons. Despite the evident tension which exists between the civilian, judicial and military elements that make up the Pakistani state, there is no denying the new ease in relations with India. The dialogue which was suspended after the Mumbai attacks of 2008 has resumed and is producing results. Domestic detractors accuse the Pakistan People's Party government of all manner of sins, including that of being too “pro-India,” but that hasn't stopped it from taking the bold step of freeing bilateral trade from the Kashmir issue. And now, Mr. Zardari has decided to visit India, a risky step for any Pakistani civilian leader, but particularly so for one as unpopular as him.
The last time he met Manmohan Singh was in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg in June 2009, where the Prime Minister publicly talked down to him about the Mumbai incident. The two are unlikely to reminisce about that encounter. More likely, Mr. Zardari will reiterate a long standing invitation to Dr. Singh to visit Pakistan. He must make that visit soon. The Prime Minister should also spare a thought for an 81-year-old Pakistani man languishing in Ajmer jail after being sentenced to life imprisonment in a 1992 murder case. Khalil Chisty maintains he was a bystander in the group clash in which one man died of gunshot injuries. The Rajasthan High Court suspended the sentences of three others who were convicted with him. Only Dr. Chisty's appeal for suspension was turned down. The judge said “no leniency” should be shown as he was a Pakistani and that an example should be made of him. As Mr. Zardari undertakes a pilgrimage to Ajmer Sharif, the ailing doctor's imprisonment in the city will be an embarrassing display of the Indian system at its most inhumane. Dr. Singh, whose government recently made a huge effort to bring back two Indian children sent into foster care by the Norwegian state, must immediately take steps to release Dr. Chisty and send him home.
Keywords: India-Pakistan relations, Hafiz Saeed, Mumbai terror, 26/11 attacks, Khalil Chisty issue, Zardari visit
To comment made by Ram.
Do you really think Pakistan needs to manipulated by American military industrial complex to maintain hostile stance to India?
You need to wake up and smell the stink of ugly horrible hatred of brewing up next door since 1947.
The American military industrial complex are not saints. But we need to realize what we are dealing with in Pakistan without delusions.
Totally agree! 1. Yeah right! The super fantastic Indian police must have really caught the
guy who pulled the trigger! 2. And the crazy corrupt Indian lower judiciary trying to make an
example of a Muslim Pakistani. Gimme a break. Send the old man home and save a few
state monies and put that towards the education of a kid or make an improvement to the
sidewalk!
You wrote, “The Rajasthan High Court suspended the sentences of three others who were convicted with him. Only Dr. Chisty's appeal for suspension was turned down. The judge said “no leniency” should be shown as he was a Pakistani and that an example should be made of him”.
I don’t care if Chisty is a Pakistani or someone from the outer space but for a judge his nationality should not be of any consideration for the judgment of his crime. I know people of the sub-continent are mostly communal and nationalist but I could hardly believe that the presiding judge of this case while giving verdict could pronounce that “no leniency” should be shown as he was a Pakistani and that an example should be made of him. This judge was a disgrace for mankind and any justice system.
Hats off! to the Indian Government for releasing Dr Chishty considering his age and on the grounds of the request made by the Prime minister of Pakistan .India proved again that it always suports humanity peace and brotherhood . God bless India
I think this is very positive initiative from Zardari's side to
diminish conflicts between two nuclear powers.Of course our people
will response positively.Negotiations are the only things by which
these country can help each other.
The Judge had emphasized that being a Pakistani Dr.Chisty not deserving any leniency and wants to make him an example and warning for other Pakistanis, means Dr.Chisty was not punished for any proven crime. Every one from the police and prosecutor and Judges all looked Dr.Chisty as a Pakistani national and the whole episode was based on prejudice, and embedded hatred towards Pakistanis.It appears to be yet another abuse of justice system.
He should not be sent back , but giving bail is maximum leniency that Indian Judiciary should show. He should report to the nearest police station and keep in house arrest, After all he is still a Pakistani.
Peace between Indian & Pakistan might be good for a billion people in
the region but it will not be good for few business oriented people
living elsewhere. If there is no tension, how can they sell their
weapons and then slowly enter into the land?
However, it is upto the leaders of both these nations to think above
these motives and open up to each other even further.
There are very heavy vested interests to ensure Pak & India do not live as peaceful neighbours. US defence industry would ensure there is no peace between Pak & India.
Its certainly a nice opportunity for both the countries to improve their relationship. But, its too early & certainly a conventional Indian thought to predict a very positive outcome. Lets wait and watch for the real expressions which will come out after the meeting. Although the points indicated in this article are very genuine & should have positive affect on the coming soon bilateral talks.
""the ailing doctor's imprisonment in the city will be an
embarrassing display of the Indian system at its most inhumane. ""..
I do not get why writer has demanded to release the doctor..is it
becasue he is ill? or he is a Pakistani? The criminal should be
punished, irrespective of his country and of-course should be
provided with medical facility if he is not well.
I say it is senseless to release just because of the visit of a
president from his country and it should not be a bottleneck for the
discussion between India and Pakistan.
The upcoming visit by Pakistan's President can provide further
bolstering to already prospering relationship between the two
countries.The occasion can be used to further promote Confidence
Building Measures and clear uncertainties if any in political
establishments of both sides.The visit by Pakistan's democratic
head of the state after long time makes the occasion special.
Both the countries should also endeavor to establish frequent
exchanges between military establishments so as to arouse
confidence in each other and to develop coordinated front against
terrorism which clearly has emerged as the greatest threat for
both the countries.
Such bonhomie meets between high end leaders of India and Pakistan have happened before and will continue in the future. But we must not fool ourselves that something positive will come out of the current meeting. Unless the bete noire, the Kashmir problem, is resolved, there will just be no closing of ranks between the two countries. The catch is, neither country wants to solve this problem as was first witnessed at Tashkent and subsequently at Shimla. The onus actually rests with India to do the needful - unilaterally convert the Line of Control in J&K into a formal border as has been suggested by the international comity. Only then will Pakistani sponsored terrorism on a hapless India stop.
the ministers of both countries must work on expected lines so as to
abridges existing trust deficit and talk down at all levels to ease off
tensions looming across borders.The upcoming visit by ASIF ALI ZARDARI
stirs enthusiasm and furnishes chance to bring into light protracted
issues suspended between two countries.let good sense prevail and both
countries expand friendship ties for making south asia stable and
peaceful
Brilliant editorial. I must salute the editor who has a Statesman Vision and expect there are many people in democratic government of India who have a vision like this. Good neighbourly relations between India and Pakistan are in the interest of over a billion people in sub-continent. Although many people in Pakistan donot like Zardari, but I pray success to him in his mission of Peace with India.
This is a very wise comment. A "bounty" against a popular politician
moving freely does not mean anything technically. Who is actually
gaining from this annoucement? It is nothing but an opportunity for
extremists of all sides to gain more popularity. It is high time India
states clearly that it does not welcome the US or anyone else's
interference with its relations to Pakistan, and that it always
expects Pakistan's judiciary to do its duty independently. India-
Pakistan relations are too complex, too crucial for the security and
well-being of the entire region, for allowing cheap political
announcements by a third country with its own agenda, to hamper a slow
improvement in relations that the overwhelming majority of citizens of
both countries hope from the bottom of their hearts.
An impassioned advocacy you have made in the editorial. Hafiz Saeed has been the product of contemporaneous political circumstances. The populistic ferment or sentiments should not influence the government stand, particularly the view of the national leaders. Our Prime Minister, Dr. Singh, should pave the way for the laminar conduct of bilateral discussions and decisions. The release of languishing Khalil Chisty is an imperative pre-condition for smooth negotiations between the two national chiefs. The Rajastan High Court's warped verdict to detain him by dint of his being a Pakistani is not amenable to reason.
The freedom with which Saeed and his organization operates simply shows how little power Zardari really has. Therefore, this so called "opportunity" is quite limited on what Zardari can deliver.
Your description of Dr Chisty's plight contains deliberate obfuscations. You imply that Dr Chisty has been in jail since 1992. In fact, he has been free on parole for most of this time, living comfortably with his relatives. His conviction was only recently upheld and that's when he was sent to jail. If murderers can avoid going to jail by abusing the delays in the legal system, should they be allowed to go free? Even more perversely, having abused the legal system, he is now pushing to stay in India rather than be sent back to Pakistan. He is using this notoriety to take full advantage of the system.
Hear! Hear! Hear! Every thoughtful Indian should be proud to send Dr. Christy home. We Indians may be poor, nationalistic and even angry at Pakistan but we are not inhuman. God speed to Dr. Chisty. May he get home and get well.
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