Friendly match
Pakistani papers have hailed the talks between India and Pakistan this week. The interior secretaries meet,coupled with cricket diplomacy and Pakistans remission of the remaining sentence of a convict accused of espionage injected some warmth into the Indo-Pak equation. Daily Times reported on March 28 that Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs invitation to his Pakistani counterpart for the semi-final between India and Pakistan was welcomed by the federal government: Pakistan has appreciated the gesture extended by the Indian premier… Extending of the invitation… and our acceptance indicates that both the countries are seriously coming closer with a realisation that dialogue is the only way forward… Prime Minister Gilani has said that… will provide a fillip to diplomacy where the two countries are set to resume bilateral talks, said the information minister and government spokesperson,Firdaus Ashiq Awan. The News,on March 29 quoted Prime Minister Gilani: It is also a timely opportunity for the two governments to show the world that the two nations can play together as well as sit and deliberate together on issues of national importance. As a goodwill gesture,Zardari remitted the remaining life sentence of Gopal Das,languishing in jail for the last 27 years,in response to an appeal made by the Supreme Court of India.
Dawns editorial on March 31 hailed what they titled the Mohali Summit: That the two prime ministers met at Mohali… in an environment enlivened by what by any standards was a carnival is itself an achievement… A breakthrough was never expected,and nobody seemed to share the misplaced optimism generated by some TV channels on both sides. Nevertheless,we can detect a modest diplomatic gain: an invitation was sent by India,and Pakistan accepted it,the grace being mutual. This should be a matter of satisfaction seen against the background of the mistrust that has characterised India-Pakistan ties for six decades. More significantly,the Mohali meeting is a clear indication of the two prime ministers resolve to pursue the peace process despite the hurdles.
Spoilsport Malik
A day before the high pressure cricket match,Pakistans interior minister,Rehman Maliks avoidable strong warning against indulging in match fixing to the Pakistan cricket squad came as a downer for the players,suggested papers. The News reported March 29: The Pakistani cricket team was left fuming… after Rehman Malik issued it a public warning against match-fixing. Sources in the team told The News the players were really angry… but decided not to react. The report quoted a player on conditions of anonymity: Match-fixing has been an issue for the Pakistan team,but what really has angered us is the timing and the manner in which this warning has been issued… The minister does not have a very good command on English so he must have meant something else… Former cricketer Aamir Sohail was also quoted: He should have told the players personally rather than telling it out in the media.
Sportsman Afridi
Despite Pakistans defeat in the match,captain Shahid Afridi is the new hero of the nation. The News,in its April 1 editorial,celebrated Afridi for his graciousness in defeat: Afridi,who rules the hearts of Pakistanis,was able to win millions of hearts across the border. His post-match speech and press conference was not just graceful and full of sportsmans spirit but his charm and wit bowled over many a heart. Afridi congratulated the Indian team and their nation. He did not need to do it but he also apologised to the Pakistani nation… Pakistan is proud to have reached the semi-final in the World Cup and Afridi and our Men in Green have made us all proud.
