PML (N) VICTORY BRINGS HOPE IN INDO PAK RELATIONS

Since #Nawaz Sharif's decisive victory in the 11 May 2013  Pakistan elections, he and Dr #Manmohan Singh, have conversed amicably by phone and have invited each other for visits and interactions. #Indo-Pak relations, which has been fraught with tension, mistrust and hostility for decades, appears to have received a positive boost from this stunning electoral comeback. Going by Pakistan’s track record, of playing the “victim” while sponsoring an “open secret” proxy war against India, critics will be quick to highlight that Mr Sharif has once had a reputation for being soft on militants as he was one of the world's only political leaders to recognize the Taliban government in Afghanistan eight months after the Islamist group seized power. 

 

However, there are two areas which make Nawaz Sharif stand out as a pacifist: his continued emphasis on need to have better ties with India; During his last stint as Prime Minister, from 1997 to 1999, he talked with his Indian counterpart, PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee, about possible solutions to the #Kashmir dispute and inaugurated a "friendship" bus line from the Indian border to Lahore. Secondly Mr Sharif has nurtured a hard stance towards Pakistan Army. Sharif has been "punished" in the past by the Pak Army for his soft stand towards Kashmir and India.

Cognizant of the fact that any growth in #Indo -Pak #friendship will actually render Pakistan’s overly high defence expenditure as unnecessary, the Pak army has always tried to sabotage such noble efforts, especially those from the civil polity. Will these hopes be a false alarm with the Pak Army trying to cripple the Political setup in Pakistan once again or stall any peace initiatives with aggressive posture at the borders/ line of control with India similar to the #beheadings.

Fortunately, what is of interest in the #Pak Military and Political nexus is that in reality, The Pak Army’s strength is relative. It will be able to wield greater power only if the civilian setup under Sharif shows incompetence. Strengthening the hope towards a better governance is the indication that there was very little influence or interference of the Pak Army in the recently concluded elections in Pakistan. Perhaps for the first time, improving relations with India was a positive issue in the Pakistan elections with the Kashmir issue taking a back seat. 

The book “between mosque and military” by Hussein #Haqqani bluntly brings out the truth about Pak politics out of the cupboard and highlights the role of the #ISI and the Pak Military in steering Pak internal Politics in their favour. What needs to be seen is whether an army which has been at the helm of power and decision making waits and watches or seeks an opportunity to ambush the new government using the islamist card.

Mr Sharif, being a wealthy steel magnate, understands the importance of opening Pakistan's crippled economy to trade with India, a South Asian economic powerhouse and one of the world's leading emerging markets. Dr Manmohan also being an economist first understands the benefits of increasing trade with Pakistan as a pathway towards improving relations on the whole ambit of Indo Pak relations.

Pakistan is experiencing democracy on a new level with even the Judiciary openly challenging the authority of the country’s leaders and the military. With the ex Pakistan President Musharraf scuttling from court room to Advocates after returning to his homeland, things definitely seem to be improving in the right direction accross our western borders. Surely the change of Premiership to Mr Sharif’s hands would only add to the chances of fostering a better tranquil atmosphere among the two enemy states.

But I Guess for the UPA, any desires of better relations can only be a reality, if Mr Sharif lays out a clear and strong policy on export of #mujahedeen’s and terrorist organizations. All said, India should definitely rake in this opportunity and work out an environment for progress towards better relations. I for one am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping for a sunset to the age old tiff between two nations which were once one.