Rare bonhomie in Parliament between govt, opposition

ISLAMABAD: The Indian war-mongering brought the bitter rivals – the ruling coalition and opposition parties – on the same wavelength, presenting a welcome spectacle in the parliament for the first time after last July’s general elections.

It was for this reason that there was a complete silence even on the opposition benches when Prime Minister Imran Khan spoke. A matching calm prevailed on the treasury benches when leader of the opposition Shahbaz Sharif delivered his speech on the situation prevailing between Pakistan and India. The tone was set by the premier when he started his address by expressing gratitude to the opposition for the continued support amid rising tensions with India.

There was no interruption whatsoever as against what has always been the order of the day in the National Assembly and Senate over the past six months. No side had been ready to listen to what the other states. The two chambers had been resounding with constant noise and pandemonium.

The two sides demonstrated a responsible strategy for the mere fact that a bigger issue was involved that did not call for any kind of political point scoring. The government has always complained that the prime minister has not been attending the House proceedings because the opposition did not allow him to speak although he wants to dilate on a host of issues and reforms undertaken by him. However, all differences were set aside and they joined hands for a national cause unlike what is going on in India. The message to India was that all the political and parliamentary parties of Pakistan are united on its policy regarding New Delhi.

The parliamentary proceedings were frequently interrupted by desk thumping. The underlying message in the first two key speeches was that Pakistan wants peace and dialogue and not confrontation or war. They tried to infuse a sense of proportion in Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who wants to play “Pakistan card” in his election campaign.

Once again, the premier vehemently stressed the importance of peace in the region and avoidance of war. As a peace gesture, he announced, captured Indian Air Force pilot Wing Commander Abhinandan will be unconditionally released on Friday. It was indeed a great move telling India to take it positively instead of giving it a negative colour.

Meanwhile, a tweet by a retired Indian army colonel turned columnist Ajai Shukla said that the Indian ministry of defence briefing to announce release of Wing Comdr Abhinandan has been pre-empted by Imran Khan, who announced it earlier. Now the briefing “postponed”. Whatever happens in real battle, Pakistan has comprehensively won the perception war. At every stage, their PR was ahead of ours, it said.

Earlier in the day, Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi has told Geo News that if Abhinandan’s return brings peace, Islamabad is definitely ready for it. “We are willing to consider his release if such a move will lead to de-escalation.”

Showing his eagerness for peace dialogue, Imran Khan disclosed that he tried to have a telephonic conversation with his Indian counterpart on Thursday, the day Pakistan shot down two Indian jets, but it could not be held. The refusal showed Modi’s aversion to peace and dialogue. Imran Khan also revealed that he got the news Thursday night that India was going to resort to a missile attack but it was later defused.

The premier underlined that what Pakistan did on Thursday was a compulsion, and India should not do anything that forces Pakistan to retaliate.

Shahbaz Sharif aptly paid glowing tributes to Pakistani pilot Hassan Siddiqui, who shot down the Indian jet. He is the real hero, the opposition leader said echoing the widespread sentiments prevailing among Pakistanis about the young air force officer. Due lavish praise has been showered on the pilot by all and sundry.