topic: | Good Governance |
---|---|
located: | Pakistan, India |
editor: | Shadi Khan Saif |
The paradox of intended motives for political point scoring in clear contrast to the projected deeds for regional connectivity are unlikely to help with the much-needed people-to-people contacts in South Asia.
As the army-backed government in Pakistan seeks to soften its image by allowing the Indian Sikh pilgrims a visa-free warm welcome, the deadly and bitter restrictions on the movement of thousands of people on the western border with Afghanistan on a daily basis remains proof of the otherwise harsh realities.
Anyone with minimal knowledge of regional history can trace the links of this appeasement towards the Indian Sikhs to Pakistan's “Bleed India with a thousand Cuts Policy”.
Hence this very generous gesture of humanity towards the Indian pilgrims wishing to visit their sacred places in Pakistan loses its much-deserving credit. Just days ahead of the grand opening of the Kartarpur Corridor on the border between the two countries, the Embassy of Pakistan in Afghanistan stopped issuing visas over a diplomatic row to thousands of applicants seeking travel for medical purposes, family reunions, trade and more.
The recent flared-up rift between the two countries came at a time when usual family reunions take place in relative warmer parts on the eastern side of the disputed Durand Line between the two neighbours. The two share not one, two or three, but 18 border crossings, however, all are guarded by heavily armed guards with shoot to kill orders. The most commonly used are northwestern Torkham and southwestern Chaman crossings that are frequented by the tens of thousands of members of divided families on a daily basis.
Those part of the power circles in Pakistan seem evidently fearful of the free movement of people, goods and ideas as it would dismantle the imaginary barriers causing divisions, mistrust and hence loss of opportunities for peace and harmony.
It is this fake propaganda of fear peddled by those in power to keep the status quo in the whole region that is currently making South Asia one of the least connected regions. The people of Pakistan, India and Afghanistan should have the choice of free and legal travel rather than being held hostage to strategic ideas of clout or interference by those in the power circles.
For instance, professional doctors in many cities of Pakistan and India are struggling with lower-salaries and lack of jobs while there is a huge demand for them in neighbouring Afghanistan with good salaries promised by various donors. However, lack of free movement and security concerns due to regional hostilities remain a concern.
Food items, especially fruits and vegetables, remain too expensive for many at certain times of the year due to the difference in seasons, but also because of the lack of free movement and security concerns as a result of regional hostilities. Items of basic needs get wasted in the neighbouring countries much to their despair.
When such policies are designed under the prism of an entirely military mindset disguised as gestures of goodwill, the common people suffer as they continue to do so.