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Express Tribune
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Political pundits downplay risk of war
While the spectre of full-scale war remains distant, the possibility of limited military action looms large – one that could fan the flames of war hysteria deliberately stoked by the belligerent Modi government, analysts have warned. Tensions continue to simmer on both sides of the border after India vowed retaliation over a recent attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which it blamed on Pakistan without furnishing evidence. In response, Islamabad issued a stern warning against any misadventure and placed its forces on high alert. Political analysts in Pakistan have downplayed the chances of full-scale conflict, arguing that India's media-driven war talk serves to bolster the ruling party's domestic image rather than signal genuine military intent. Despite the heightened rhetoric, they believe strategic restraint still holds at the military level, though a return to calm appears out of reach for now. Former Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, speaking to The Express Tribune, said the current "no war, no peace" situation is likely to persist as it benefits the Modi regime. However, he asserted that no military conflict or war between the two neighbours is expected. He said that despite Pakistan's smaller size, it had responded responsibly to India's threats. "Not only that, we are also apprising the world of the risk of misadventure by India, which shows our commitment to peace even in these testing times," he said. He likened the situation to the Cuban Missile Crisis, which brought the US and the USSR to the brink of nuclear conflict. "The world must be made aware of the consequences of a nuclear fallout," he warned. He added that Pakistan was compelled to issue a strong response only after India threatened annihilation. "Despite the chest-thumping on the Indian side, Pakistan remained composed, its people and its media," he said. He noted that Indian media's jingoism had reached a fever pitch. "The language pro-Modi media was using bordered on hate speech," he observed. Commenting on India's move to hold the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) in abeyance, Mushahid said it was a dangerous game that could backfire. "If we are the lower riparian in the case of the Jhelum, Chenab and Indus rivers, then India is a lower riparian state in the case of the Brahmaputra and Indus, both of which originate from China," he said. "If India tries to fiddle with our water supply, China could disrupt the flow in those rivers." He clarified that India had only held the IWT in abeyance and had not suspended it. "They cannot suspend the treaty, nor can they disrupt the water supply in the short run. They simply don't have the infrastructure for that," he said. Senior political analyst and former caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Hasan Askari also said the probability of a full-blown war was low. However, he warned that limited military action remained a real possibility. He noted that India had for the past two decades sought ways to punish Pakistan below the nuclear threshold, but had failed to do so thus far. He praised Pakistan's overall conduct during the crisis. "Other than the defence and information ministers, Pakistan and its media have acted maturely and professionally," he said.
Express Tribune
15-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Mushahid Hussain welcomes Trump's diplomatic initiatives for global peace
Listen to article Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed praised President Donald Trump's election as a positive step for global peace, highlighting the US leader's diplomatic efforts in resolving conflicts. Speaking at the International Parliament for Tolerance & Peace (IPTP) conference, the Pakistani senator stressed that complex global issues, such as the ongoing conflicts in Palestine and Kashmir, could only be resolved through direct dialogue, not the use of force. The conference, hosted by Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Jaswan, former Speaker of the Arab Parliament and a leading UAE figure, brought together parliamentarians and political leaders from 40 countries spanning Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe. Senator Hussain called for resolving long-standing conflicts based on United Nations resolutions, which advocate for the right to self-determination in both Palestine and Kashmir while urging for the lifting of blockades to facilitate uninterrupted humanitarian aid and the enforcement of ceasefire agreements, particularly in Gaza and Sudan, where ongoing conflicts have caused widespread displacement and food insecurity. The senator advocated for a civilian-led peace process in Sudan to address the civil war, which has left one-third of the population displaced and triggered a refugee crisis. In his remarks, Hussain also welcomed Trump's diplomatic initiatives, including his engagement with Iran on its nuclear program and his push for negotiations to resolve the Ukraine conflict. The senator emphasized that direct talks, not military threats, are essential for resolving such complex disputes. The senator commended the UAE's role in promoting peace and security, under the leadership of President Mohammed bin Zayed, who is a close ally of Pakistan. He noted the peaceful coexistence of over 100 nationalities within the UAE as a model of tolerance and harmony. Concluding his address, Senator Hussain highlighted the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference in 2025. The 1955 summit, which brought together Asian and African nations for the first time, was a key moment in the rise of the Global South. He noted the shifting global power dynamics, with influence now moving from the West to the East. The conference also featured keynote speeches from Mohammed Zakirzade, Speaker of the Tajikistan Parliament, and Martin Chungong, Secretary-General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). The IPTP is the parliamentary branch of the Global Council for Tolerance & Peace, which aims to foster international dialogue and promote peace. Last month, Al-Jaswan, IPTP President, visited Pakistan to deliver a keynote address at a conference on regional connectivity hosted by the Pakistan-China Institute, led by Senator Hussain.
