Can I say that I am writing this column in a country that has been transformed, that it is not the same Pakistan as it was ten days ago? Well, so much has certainly changed, and the extent to which Pakistan can be meaningfully transformed is something that we need to examine carefully.
But, for now, we may set all contemplations aside and just celebrate this moment which is some kind of a divine gift for a people forever stuck in a state of political discontent and social unrest. The manner in which our armed forces have triumphed over a much bigger adversary in a four-day encounter has lifted the spirits of the nation and brought it together.
A miracle it has been, almost. After Pakistan and India agreed to an immediate ceasefire on Saturday, May 10, after a short spell of deadly jet fighter, missiles, drone and artillery attacks, some realities have begun to emerge.
Initially, both sides claimed victory, in keeping with the practice in previous conflicts between the two nuclear countries. However, the world has recognised the astounding gains the Pakistani military has made.
Hence, there is ample justification for a collective expression of joy and pride. A war against a traditional rival generally unites the nation and generates strong patriotic sentiments. We have had our armed confrontations with India, mostly with uncertain outcomes. This time, Pakistan delivered a devastating blow to India, mainly in a quick and dramatic combat in the air.
So, just as the ceasefire was announced, surprisingly by President Donald Trump of the United States, we were ready to hoist our flag of victory.
It is interesting how Trump would want to take the credit for stopping a possible “nuclear war” and how he proposed to resolve the Kashmir issue. But it is hard to see this intervention as the way forward for the resolution of a conflict that has become an enigma in modern history.
Anyhow, the point I am making is that Pakistan has earned an opportunity to be genuinely proud of the capabilities and performance of its armed forces. What I find exciting is the passion and the enthusiasm with which the people of Pakistan are celebrating this occasion. There is also this sense of relief that a great disaster has been averted with the vindication of our stance and our strategy.
I must also admit that this has been a week of some fun in joyous gatherings of friends and relatives where we recounted the stories and memes that have circulated on social media. It might be said that we have scored a big victory on this front too.
I would not want to focus much on how the government is officially celebrating the supremacy of our armed forces, as demonstrated in early Saturday morning strikes on military installations in India and India-held Kashmir.
The country-wide observance of Youm-e-Tashakkur on Friday was meant to assert that “the world is stunned by our military might” and to affirm that we are “a nation united in heart and soul”.
Pakistan is surely justified in highlighting this victory, which will help in establishing a new balance in South Asia, raising the people’s morale and enhancing their trust and confidence in the competence of the armed forces. A tempo is being created that may contribute positively to other national pursuits.
Meanwhile, it is obvious that the story that began with India’s aggression is not yet over. The ceasefire, thankfully, is holding and through military contacts between the two countries, it has been extended to May 18. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar informed the Senate on Thursday that Pakistan has sought a “comprehensive dialogue” with India.
Still, things remain uncertain. India has been wounded and would want to save its face through whatever means. In his first address to the nation after the ceasefire, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that India “only paused” its military action against Pakistan. “If another terrorist attack against India is carried out, a strong response will be given”, he asserted.
The world watched the conflagration in South Asia with interest. One reason was that both are nuclear countries, and there are always chances of a misadventure from either side. One headline in The New York Times was: “Nuclear war avoided, again. But next time?”
Another curiosity for the world was that this was the first time that Chinese jets and the missiles they carried were used in combat anywhere in the world. As The Guardian noted, “Pakistan’s use of J-10C jets and missiles exposed potency of Chinese weaponry”.
Coming back to the great fervour with which we have observed our Youm-e-Tashakkur, it surely is a great tribute to our armed forces that they were able to overpower their Indian adversaries. But when you have such established rivals, it is important to match their strength not just in the military space. After all, military confrontation can only be a rare and unwelcome possibility.
In fact, the real power of a country and a society resides in its human capital and its economic and social advancement. The task of building Pakistan as a strong nation in other spheres also is now before us. Let our present celebrations also underline this urgency.
What our military supremacy has certified is that we do have the potential to achieve our goals, if only the required commitment and resources are devoted to a project. An additional ingredient we need is an unequivocal love for our country, without lapsing into any dogmatic or xenophobic state of mind.
While it is necessary to be strong militarily and capable of defeating any aggression from any adversary, the ultimate desire for any people anywhere would be to live a peaceful and happy life in which the higher values of a civilised existence can flourish.
Sadly, this is not the dream we would dare to dream for the future of South Asia at this time. We may become lucky when times have changed.
The writer is a senior journalist. He can be reached at: [email protected]
Disclaimer: The viewpoints expressed in this piece are the writer’s own and don’t necessarily reflect Geo.tv’s editorial policy.
Originally published in The News