Indian Republic Day Celebration in Pakistan – by Tazeen Akhtar

Tazeen Akhtar

The first big news for my readers here is Yes! I attended the Republic Day of India on 26 Jan 2024 at Marriott Islamabad on the invitation of Acting High Commissioner Ms Geetika Shrivastava and Commercial Attache Ms Happy Gupta – Both ladies are in the picture – Friends need not be envious by the way. It was my first participation in any Indian reception in Islamabad. Special Branch personnel were curious who I am and why I am here ? I wonder how they take care of our security when they do not know me?It is about standing informed , I mean.

I am Editor in Islamabad for last 20 years and frequent visitor to Diplomatic, International, Governmental events that are all monitored and covered by the secret agencies. In the meanwhile in last 20 years , I headed different newspapers. I had many interactions with all powerful and influential circles and officials in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Still if they ask me Who I am ? I am justified to ask them …… Who you are?

You can not change the neighbors. You have to keep good relations with them. Yes this principle is for India as well – I think we should keep a channel open to at least continue a dialogue whatever name you give it, back channel diplomacy, track 2, artists exchanges, religious tourism, retired military wisdom authoring books on security matters etc. A door or window should always be open between the arch rivals even. May be , sometime, you have to import onions from the neighbor.

Here i feel necessary to suggest the intelligent officers that they should train their field staff if they need information. The are asking the names and purpose from who write everything, about their meetings and visits in their newspapers for their readers.

What I noted in the reception was the flag of Pakistan at the stage with flag of India. Founder of Pakistan Mr. Jinnah said, “Pakistan and India will live together like Canada and USA.” But it could not happen and the rest is the history. Unfortunately Pakistan claimed capturing two Indians allegedly involved in planned murders of Pakistanis on a day earlier than the Republic Day. What I find more unfortunate is the break up of Shoiab and Sania. It is second after Mohsin and Rina Roy.

The public at both sides do not take serious the security establishment’s allegations and explanations any more but they are deeply influenced by the news of having married or having separated of the celebrities especially showbiz and cricket stars. For that reason , I shared with AHC Geetika, ” The break up of both couples has sent a disappointment message to the people of both countries. They can take it as India and Pakistan can not live together.”

Here it is also a fact that many couples from both countries are living satisfied lives but the common public do not know about them because they are not famous. Anyway the separations of Shoaib Sania after Mohsin Rina have served the purpose of hate mongers at both sides.

The reception was well attended by many Pakistanis including renown cricketer Rameez Raja and famous ghazal singer Ustad Hamid Ali Khan, senior HR activist Afrasyaab Khattak. Ambassador R Khalid Mehmood of Islamabad Strategic Studies Institute , representatives of civil society, media persons also participated in the reception.

Interestingly, the Canadian High Commissioner was also seen but left soon. Maybe she wanted to avoid questions about the status of relations after the murder of Sikh leader. Her presence was enough to conclude that the status is normal though.

Envoys of SAARC were seen at the stage with the AHC in cake cutting ceremony. They included High Commissioner of Bangladesh, Maldives, Ambassador of Nepal and DHM Sri Lanka. I could not notice Afghanistan and Iran but 4 representatives of SAARC countries were there despite what is shared in Pakistan mostly that India left alone in this org.

Regarding Maldives , recently both countries exchanged hard statements about each other. President Maldives took Indian “Backyard” statement strictly and responded accordingly after his visit to China.

The other notable were US Ambassador Donald Blome (Natural Ally) , Dean of Diplomatic Corp Ambassador Turkmenistan Mr. Atadjan Movlamov (TAPI ges is flagship project between Turkmen,Afghan,Pak,India), Ambassadors and diplomats of Japan,Vietnam, Poland, France, Bulgaria, Romania, Norway, Belarus, Hungary, Ukraine, Brazil,Somalia, Egypt, Morocco, Lebanon were also present.

It was Indian Republic Day and in Pakistan the media mostly raises the question on “The biggest democracy” as a tall claim because in India the public of the state of Jammu Kashmir and some other states are not allowed to live with basic rights. Recall the natural ally, USA has not included India in the countries where minorities are persecuted.Pakistan has been put in the list of countries of high concern.India denies the allegations as baseless.

Indian constitution is secular that means the Republic has no official religion but the incumbent government of PM Modi is following Hinditwa for last 10 years. Lets see what comes out in upcoming elections in India.The continuation of Modi will further deteriorate the situation inside as well as outside of India especially with Pakistan even if Nawaz Sharif become PM on this side.