I have just returned from Pakistan. I know what exactly happened before, during and after the recent conflict between Pakistan and Hindustan. One may conclude that there are no winners or losers in such skirmishes but for the sake of record the real story must be told. I am happy to do that but no matter which words I use, reality does not comfort hearts or seduce souls; in fact, it leaves nothing to the imagination.
There is a history of telling fibs in such matters from both sides but this episode was different. From Pakistan’s point of view, it went as close to the script as they could have imagined. It was a combination of meticulousness scheming, non pareil skills, and good luck. Hindustan is still recovering from the shock due to her kismet and underestimating Pakistan’s ability to counter-attack. Pakistan was always two steps ahead due to its war-readiness, which include show the military used the media.
Pakistan has since moved on and is waiting for comprehensive talks to begin as soon as Hindustani elections are over. Imran Khan has made a conscious choice for peace. Hindustani leadership has also made a decent exit from the matter by focussing on their elections. The internationally acclaimed war-mongering Indian media, however, keeps rubbing salt in self-inflicted wounds by discussing whether F16s were used or not. I suppose the only appropriate response to reality, sometimes, is to go insane.
It is hard to imagine fright and peace at the same time. However, there are times when you cannot find one by avoiding the other because as human beings we like to show scars for some achievements. Peace itself is not just the absence of war; it is a consensus on compassion, which offers freedom from hate, anger, and fear.
The majority of those who lives in or out of both countries is relieved that a full-scale war was avoided. The blood-thirsty minority, including some Indian TV anchors, have never seen a proper war or only saw it in films. All the wars between Pakistan and Hindustan never lasted more than a few weeks and lives lost were in thousands. In comparison, Poland alone lost 5,820,000 civilians due to military activity during the 2nd World War; and two nuclear bombs killed 146000 and 80,000 people in a day in Hiroshima and Nagasaki respectively. Some of us have seen the museums and the remnants of those devastations with our own eyes. Perhaps both governments should sponsor study tours for some of these war-mongers; and the rest could be left indefinitely among the refugees fleeing from Syria.
I am afraid the lull in hostilities between both the countries is transient. A Pulwama-like incident by an aggrieved indigenous Kashmiri or clandestine operation by a Kulbhoshan-like character can trigger a series of events that could lead to a full-scale (nuclear) war anytime. Pakistan believes it can happen before the elections; but I think it is a bluff, and that it would happen afterwards if at all unless alternatives arrangements are made. If I am the Prime Minister of Hindustan after the elections, I would offer talks to Pakistan in my first speech in the best interest of my country.
This episode has proved a few things for everyone involved. Pakistan may be small and has limited resources, but Hindustan cannot bully her into doing things by force. Pakistan’s response has also made it clear that it has the mindset to turn a small-scale war into a full-scale war. Finally, due to having a stockpile of nuclear weapons, both countries, and the world at large, cannot afford a full-scale nuclear war between them. So, let this flare-up be actually a stepping-stone for future peace.
Any talks between both the countries, without discussing Kashmir, are meaningless. No matter which issue they touch, it would eventually revert to Kashmir. The cry for freedom and civil rights in Kashmir is growing louder despite the kidnappings, rape and torture under the nose of an 800,000-strong army. Most of the socioeconomic activity is dead because hardly a day goes by without the assassinations or funerals of young Kashmiris. Under these circumstances, it is no surprise that some militants at home and abroad could take the law into their own hands to avenge perceived injustice. Hindustan as a legitimate democracy cannot follow in the footsteps of Israel who has its own axe to grind by encouraging precedents elsewhere.
Pakistan has its own share of problems, and may have contributed to the Hindo-Pak conflicts knowingly or unknowingly. It is at war against extremism for over a decade now and has suffered terrible human, economic and social consequences. If talks begin, both countries can actually help each other in eradicating radicalism, bigotry and socioeconomic woes. In the absence of communication, however, there is no understanding and care; and in the absence of care, there is no compassion or forgiveness. If we do not forgive each other, the conflict would continue. Courage is the price nations have to pay for peace. How long will we keep killing each other’s children before we learn to live in peace?
The writer is a Consultant Psychiatrist & Visiting Professor. He tweets @AamerSarfraz