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WHENEVER ties sour between Pakistan and India, people-to-people contact is the first casualty. It is a matter of concern for all those who desire friendship and harmony between the two neighbours that the Indian government has asked PIA to vacate its offices in Delhi.
As reported on Monday, the Indian authorities have apparently caught the flag carrier out on a technicality. India’s Directorate of Enforcement has asked PIA to “dispose of” its real estate in Delhi as its purchase was “unauthorised”. Also, the carrier’s staffers in the Indian capital are facing problems in extending their visas.
Also read: PIA New Delhi office receives closure notice from Indian authorities
If the Indian authorities feel there are genuine legal issues with PIA’s real estate purchases, it is difficult to comprehend why the issue has been raised nearly a decade after the properties were acquired.
Assuming that the Indian government is right on a point of technicality, we must nonetheless accept that when it comes to Indo-Pak relations, there are more than just legal or administrative details involved — there is always a deeper context, one that is completely political.
Whether it is the case of the reopening of Pakistan’s consulate in Mumbai, the suspension of Indian carriers’ flights to Pakistan or even the closure of the Indian consulate in Karachi, it is politics on both sides that mostly guides such decisions.
Relations between the states have of course been frosty ever since the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. Yet India’s establishment has adopted a more aggressive posture after Narendra Modi’s coming to power last year.
PIA’s flights to India are now the only direct air links between the two states. Should this vital link be broken, travellers from either country wishing to visit the other by air will have to take a cumbersome, expensive detour through a third country.
Pakistan’s high commissioner in Delhi has said the issue has been taken up with the Indian authorities. We hope it is resolved at the earliest. The people of South Asia deserve a better future based on friendship; for that to happen, the communication lines must be kept open.
Published in Dawn, January 20th, 2015
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Comments (54) Closed
Jan 20, 2015 06:37am
A simple way to ease tension is to make sure JuD and LeT are banned and stay closed, and to charge the killers who masterminded Mumbai masaccre. As Pakistan has demonstrated no intention to ever prosecute the mastermind of the Mumbai killings, and has every intention to continue support for the JuD / LeT killers, why would India want to be friendly with people who don't wish it well?
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Jan 20, 2015 06:43am
Just because India's former incompetent government did not take notice of this illegal activity of PIA, does not mean it is an open pass for PIA to continue with it's mistake. If PIA cares about it's business in India, it should correct it's mistake as directed by Indian authorities. Any way,most of people to people contact between two countries is more via rail link or by road transport so even if PIA stops it's operation in India, it would not impact much although the rich elite class, who travel by air, may have to cough up some more money.
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Jan 20, 2015 06:50am
Totally agree with last lines, but then with terrorist being facilitated to conduct their rally does not help.
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Jan 20, 2015 07:12am
The Editorial had the right sentiment. However, the crux of the matter is the unlawful nature of PIA's transaction. The editorial dismisses unlawfulness as a mere issue of technicality. This is grossly inaccurate and misrepresents the issue.
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Jan 20, 2015 07:22am
Why should ANYone want to visit India? How much would the PIA lose if it closes the flights to India?
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Jan 20, 2015 08:23am
"The people of South Asia deserve a better future based on friendship; for that to happen, the communication lines must be kept open.".....Let us see that Pakistan take action to genuinely shutdown JuD, LeT activities....Till then communication links between DGMOs is sufficient.
Anyway.....Air India doesn't fly into Pakistan, so why allow PIA to fly
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Jan 20, 2015 08:28am
Why does Pakistan see a conspiracy in everything? Why is it that Pakistan expects the world to adjust to its whims and fancies?
As every Indian knows, the wheels of our state machinery move slowly, but surely and if one is wrong, he or she has to pay the price eventually. Just ask Sanjay Dutt or Salman Khan.
Nobody is asking PIA to shut down its operations. It is free to rent out office space. And as for this transaction, it may have to relinquish these flats if in fact it is found to be in contravention of FEMA. Nothing Modi can do about it.
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Jan 20, 2015 08:29am
Completely agree with the writer when he says that "The people of South Asia deserve a better future based on friendship". However a better future includes a terrorism free region and Pakistan's continuous insistence on grabbing entire Kashmir from India does not help the cause.
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Jan 20, 2015 08:43am
If there is a technical issue of property acquired a decade ago, it should be resolved rather than asking Pakistan to vacate PIA office. This is extreme bureaucratic action which does not help improvement of relations between the two nations which are neighbors. I hope the appeal will be heard by a human being with kind heart rather than an old traditional Indian Bureaucrat.
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Jan 20, 2015 09:56am
"Relations between the states have of course been frosty ever since the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks." Since you know the root cause, why don't you address it ?
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Jan 20, 2015 10:09am
Totally agree. A political angle can not be ruled out.
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Jan 20, 2015 10:13am
I don't see the point of people-to-people contact.
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Jan 20, 2015 10:13am
This needs to be understood in context of Modi's tactics and strategy viz a viz his policy towards Pakistan!
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Jan 20, 2015 10:13am
1. Of course this is all politics. Or else a land grab. Or as someone had mentioned earlier, Pak's refusal to Air India staff for visas to close their old office. Regardless, it's not a simple FERA violations issue, and we don't need to pretend otherwise.
2. PIA can sell the properties at market rates and use the proceeds as it deems fit. PIA need not do a distress sale. These properties have appreciated considerably and are in high demand.
3. PIA can continue to operate in India regardless of this ownership issue. The "vital link" does not have to be held hostage to whether PIA can or cannot own its properties. In fact the current industry practice is for airlines to lease as much as they can - their offices, aircraft and airport slots/gates/operating rights.
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Jan 20, 2015 10:14am
Issue is one thing, timing of issue has raised many eyes now. It is so unfortunate that BJP is willing to crush the relationship of neighboring countries for the sake of its political mileage.
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Jan 20, 2015 10:15am
no. it is not.
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Jan 20, 2015 10:19am
When there is a rule that people of certain countries cannot buy property without permission, it is clear that PIA is at fault. They can sell it to an Indian National and take it back on rent. Adnan Sami had a similar problem after buying a penthouse in Mumbai.
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Jan 20, 2015 10:29am
@Malik Terrorism may be
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Jan 20, 2015 10:40am
In passing you mention that only PIA flies to India and Indian airlines do not fly to Pakistan. If that is so then that is normal procedure in all the countries. When Germany stopped Kenya Airlines flights to Germany, Kenya did not allow Lufthansa to fly to Kenya. This is done by most of the countries. Even when it is fear of terrorism that India avoids flying Pakistan route logic is the same. As it is most of airlines avoid Pakistan. I say most of people avoid visiting the country. Perhaps a few wordfs on improving seccurity wuld have been in order.
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Jan 20, 2015 10:48am
@Viresh Indians are just angels. Not doing anything in Baluchistan or funding TTP?
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Jan 20, 2015 11:06am
Indians are a lot more biased against Pakistanis. They are radicalized and brainwashed against Pakistan by media and politicians.
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Jan 20, 2015 11:07am
@Observer : Vis-a-vis --totally suspect retaliation, yeah? There is always the train + the bus across the border --if its that important!
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Jan 20, 2015 11:12am
@Malik
Because of Transit route, To board other airlines because you know how many airlines comes to Pakistan.
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Jan 20, 2015 11:12am
Why India Allowed Pakistani PIA to buy Property in India.
NO NO NO we don't need the Friendship of Pakistan, let Pakistanis enjoy their Heaven in Pakistan and we mortels will have PEACE without Pakistan.
From a common man
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Jan 20, 2015 11:18am
Its funny how my Pakistani friends drag Modi into every minor controversy. As much as you would like to think, Modi really does not dedicate his every waking hour to Pakistan. He runs a major economy who''s trying to make its name in space, improve international relationships and work towards other missions that involve domestic issues. Trivial things like the PIA office closure does not deserve his attention. Unlike Pakistan, there are various ministries and organisations that look after a range of things!
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Jan 20, 2015 11:39am
@Jai Well, Kashmir belongs to us.
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Jan 20, 2015 11:45am
Both the governments - kabhi nahin sudhrengey
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Jan 20, 2015 11:49am
"The people of South Asia deserve a better future based on friendship"..... It sounds so hollow...flowery words do not impress us anymore.
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Jan 20, 2015 11:51am
@Malik More than you can imagine. LOL
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Jan 20, 2015 11:56am
PIA is a business entity and it has violated a civil law. GOI has not asked for closure of business but disposing of property. PIA can very well take another place or the same place on lease and continue their business as it is. How does people to people contact gets impacted in this case. I am sure, PIA can surely afford this transaction. Instead of looking for excuses and diplomatic rows, lets solve this pragmatically.
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Jan 20, 2015 11:59am
Editor, Guests don't make rules, hosts make them. Pakistan must either follow the rules or close their operations before they is more embarassment.
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Jan 20, 2015 12:28pm
@Usman U r right..
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Jan 20, 2015 12:42pm
If the Indian authorities feel there are genuine legal issues with PIA’s real estate purchases, it is difficult to comprehend why the issue has been raised nearly a decade after the properties were acquired...........
BECAUSE for the past 10 yrs we Indians had a puppet Government... There was policy paralysis even in important issues. PIA's property purchase was not even in their agenda....
Having said that, Just becoz an issue has not been raid for 10 yrs does not mean it is Legitimate, and no questions can be asked/raised thereafter......... Pls apply your mind, before raising doubs.
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Jan 20, 2015 12:45pm
Yes, This behavior is due to current government of India.
No need to hesitate,Pakistan should give strong response.
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Jan 20, 2015 12:46pm
The issue of Samjhota Express terror attack needs to be dealt by Indian authorities. Pakistanis hope that Mr Swami Aseemanand and his accomplices will be brought to justice. This terror attack took place on 19 Feb 2007. Nearly eight years have passed but the Indian authorities have not fulfilled their responsibility.
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Jan 20, 2015 12:50pm
i think we should close our office in Dehli... i mean what are we doing in India..? why is it always us who should be blamed for every filthy thing happening in India.. i don't understand why people can't see what Indian gov. is doing in Afghanistan i mean what's the point of so many consulates there? why if we blame Indians for destabilizing our Balochistan and FATA ?
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Jan 20, 2015 01:00pm
Relations will keep worsening till Hafiz Saeed walks free....
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Jan 20, 2015 01:02pm
Conspiracy?
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Jan 20, 2015 01:17pm
@Rao agree with you sir.
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Jan 20, 2015 01:49pm
@Ahmad LET the era of law and fairplay begin in south asia begin.It bodes well for the people.India has begun to mean business and you seeking favour is demeaning.
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Jan 20, 2015 01:53pm
@Maqsood strong response means another letter to UN
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Jan 20, 2015 02:35pm
@Mustafa take it away if you can.what is holding you.
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Jan 20, 2015 03:20pm
@Jason yeah but these ministries you just mentioned all follow modi's policy lead which is basically to be aggressive towards pakistan and foil all efforts for peace....
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Jan 20, 2015 03:20pm
Pakistan is finding it difficult to recalibrate the strategy in its relationship with India from the time Mody has been elected as the PM of India. Mody has been accepted with open arms by the leaders world, whereas Pakistan living in the past and is unable to understand the aura surrounding Mody. After taking over the office, Mody has been making the right noises and initiated many policy changes that had impressed the world - the effects of these changes will be only known in the times to come. There is serious doubt that people to people contact will ever improve the relationship between the countries unless there is active and sincere participation of the governments. I feel India has laid its cards on the table and its is for Pakistan to assess the situation and take a decision that would benefits its interests.
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Jan 20, 2015 05:50pm
It should be easy for PIA to locate the documents for the purchase/lease of the property and tell the Indian authorities that they have made a mistakes . Most other companies/corporate entities would usually do only that. I think sensitivities have been aroused only because it is PIA and Indian govt.
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Jan 20, 2015 06:09pm
PIA can move in a rented premises and make a profit on its investment,why do they see ghosts where there are none.
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Jan 20, 2015 08:30pm
Why can not the PIA lease the office space and continue its business like many other airlines do instead of breaking Indian law? If this link is so vital don't you think Indian Airlines too would be having regular flights? Anyway, there are cheaper means for those who want to visit India like the road link. Why not use them?
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Jan 20, 2015 09:05pm
@Bangladeshi
And what do you think about Pak-India relations since inception...
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Jan 20, 2015 10:15pm
If local laws were violated then PIA is at fault. Poor enforcement by Indian authorities does not absolve PIA from it's responsibilities. Why are we justifying PIA's move? Some are blaming BJP - at least they are enforcing the laws of the land, Congress was not even able to do so.
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Jan 20, 2015 11:03pm
Such actions are expected from india, who wants to see Pakistan as a failed state.
BUT, we will not falter. We will not fall.
Long live Pakistan.
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Jan 21, 2015 12:47am
No one else but Pakistan is responsible for this crisis.
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Jan 21, 2015 04:43am
Simply stop Indian airlines over flying Pakistani airspace. That will be enough. India has done it in the past. Just reciprocate. Say, the the usage of the airspace is directly proportional to PIA business in India along with its properties. It is not PIA's fault that the previous government(s) in India did not look into the property purchase issue before. Nonsense.
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Jan 21, 2015 07:46am
@Maqsood What strong response? Maximum PIA can do is pack-off, who cares if you do that?
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Jan 21, 2015 11:29am
@someone_else So you agree that all bureaucratic decisions in India are politically influenced? Don't talk off your hat!!
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