Speeches have long been interpreted in the global affairs as symbols of strength and weakness, according to the content and confidence of the leader delivering a speech. It was after a long time that I happen to hear ‘Ba nafsaynafees’ (through personal appearance) a good speech that Prime Minister of Pakistan,Muhammad Nawaz Sharif, made at the United Nations General Assembly here Wednesday.
The goodness or the good quality of the speech was adjudged firstly from the content that was quite pragmatic and in consonance with the ground realities of the contemporary world that is undergoing newer and newer shades of ‘networking’, if not ‘nexuses’ in the strictest sense of the term.
It was after a long time that the expectations of a good few segments of the society were kept in view in such a manner that neither any‘dream talk’ was resorted to nor were any tall claims made or heavy, unrealistic challenges thrown and hurled at any forum, institution, power or any ‘power in the making’. Such things either tend to create hype or unwanted expectations that most often lead to confusion. And where there is confusion, things don’t move forward, whether they revolve around the Kashmiris’ brutally denied right of self-determination or anything else. Statesmanship is something that is not all about charisma or showy display and good impression. It doesentail mass appeal which ensnares the people not only on the basis of resplendent, cool and calm face such as that is typical of our Prime Minister’s ever-cheerfulness but it is more of an acknowledgement and recognition of the substance contained in the leaders’ addresses to the nation or the United Nations General Assembly.
The Wednesday in New York, I mean Wednesday September 21 was manifestation of this type of pragmatic statesmanship. My stress upon the term pragmatic side by side with the term statesmanship is also rooted in the journalistic background of skepticism. There is nothing wrong with being skeptic insofar as one is doing journalism and trying to arrive at true conclusions. A journalist has to be skeptic to some extent, doubting every information and claim althoughthe Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif, gets uncomfortable time and again with the skepticism spread off and on by the media-persons especially about his energy projects some of which are moving at such a fast pace that is unprecedented not only in Pakistan but also in China whose guidelines and technology are being followed in most of the energy projects that fall under the banner of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.
Take into consideration Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s emphasis on not abandoning the path of peace despite hiccups and setbacks. Although this statement came in the specific context of Afghanistan but this statement can form a basic guideline in the area of international relations especially where ties are sour because of suspicions and some conspiracies.
PM Sharif proffered another piece of a golden advice and though it was South Asia-specific, it has a global dimension and must be followed throughout the world if lasting peace is the destination. PM says, “Confrontation should not be our destiny in South Asia. Pakistan wants peace with India. I have gone the extra mile to achieve this, repeatedly offering a dialogue to address all outstanding issues”.
Now is there any civilized, democratized soul in the contemporary times that can undermine the importance of a dialogue. I think only a militarized mindset can afford to ignore the significance of a dialogue. It is, of course, quite unfortunate that, according to PM Nawaz Sharif, India has posed unacceptable preconditions to engage in a dialogue. What in fact makes India fear and avoid a dialogue when talks don’t mean any favor to Pakistan? They are rather the only peaceful means to reduce Pak-India tensions, especially those revolving around Jammu and Kashmir dispute, “and to avert the danger of any escalation” (to quote PM).
And no one can doubt the PM’s assertion that “Our predictions have now been confirmed by events and that a new generation of Kashmiris has risen spontaneously against India’s illegal occupation – demanding freedom from occupation”.
To the extent of apprising the global fraternity or to the extent of awakening the sleeping worldcommunity, PM Sharif’s words mean a lot. They do carry the awakening effect but more significant moves have been the Prime Minister’s meetings with a number of foreign dignitaries during the sidelines. It was exciting for me to note that ‘sidelines’ business has been made somewhat like a mainstream ‘diplomatic goodwill’ business in international relations by PM Nawaz Sharif and his advisers like DrMaleehaLodhi. It was encouraging to observe that Sharif didn’t show any sign of fatigue and, instead, he seized the opportunity to create wide awareness among the world leaders about Pakistan’s sacrifices and tremendous services rendered in the war against terrorism and in Pakistan’s effective role in the maintenance of a balanced approach in inter-state relations. Successful sidelines business standing apart, the best part of the whole UN episode vis-à-vis PM Sharif’s (and vis-à-vis my own visit to the United Nations) was that the Prime Minister told the General Assembly that Indian brutalities are well documented. I would like to inform the General Assembly that Pakistan will share with the Secretary General a dossier containing detailed information and evidence of the gross and systematic violations of human rights committed by Indian forces in occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
Certainly, this statement by the PM spells hope for me as well as for the people of Kashmir and that is: “These brutalities will not suppress the spirit of the Kashmiris; it will only intensify their anger and fortify their determination to see India end its occupation of Kashmir. From Srinagar to Sopore, the men, women and children come out each day, defying curfew, to demand freedom”.
And I also join the masses of Pakistan who, like PM Sharif, demand that Pakistan be considered for entry into Nuclear Suppliers Group, given the fact that Pakistan meets all the high, international standards of safety and security of the nuclear club.
And in the end, I quote the PM: “The UN must regain its credibility as the central instrument for the promotion of peace, prosperity and liberty”. Standing close to the Statue of Liberty, I reiterate that liberty is contingent on enduring peace and prosperity without injustice and inequality.
….mianrehman1@gmail.com
