A POSITIVE statement was needed at the state level following the friendly interaction between Pakistani and Indian cricketers during the recent Champions Trophy tournament. Pakistan’s high commissioner to India, Abdul Basit, has attempted to provide Pakistan-India proceedings with such a stimulus. In a media interview, the envoy called for the play to go on irrespective of the stalemate over many bilateral issues. His views echo the sane voices that must continue to remind the two neighbours that it would be a mistake to close all doors that can show a path to peace. There are obviously many hurdles to overcome — although many of these exist only in the minds of those who want to see the two countries held hostage to a bitter past. The cricketers — tough and uncompromising during the game, but humane and appreciative of each other off the field — have demonstrated that it is not impossible to keep trying for the sake of coexistence and in the true spirit of the age we live in. The sheer control that these men had over their actions in the tensest of moments on the field fully qualified them to set an example for the leadership of the two countries they represent. Their positive attitude and interaction brought out the remarkable ability of the game to cast aside the long history of rivalry between Pakistan and India. It brought out the power of people belonging to different countries to move together and without resorting to foul play.

No doubt the challenges are many, and the Pakistani envoy pointed to some of these in his interview. He was very candid when it came to conveying Pakistan’s genuine concerns about India-held Kashmir, though his take on New Delhi’s conditions for an earnest resumption of dialogue was subtle. At the same time, he said his government was ready to participate in a bilateral search for solutions to all outstanding issues. Of course, there will also be certain Pakistani stipulations for engagement with India. Still, when he talked about the painfully slow pace at which Pakistan and India have moved towards an understanding, the high commissioner was conveying the frustrations of peaceniks on both sides of the border and of the people at large who want to see a South Asia prosperous and free from hostility. Surely both countries should move towards peace at the speed of a limited-overs match from here onwards.

Published in Dawn, June 23rd, 2017