Indian aid offer
Dawn Editorial
Monday, 30 Aug, 2010
As recently as Friday, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said that the offer had been accepted. The foreign ministry, however, maintained throughout that the matter was still under discussion, and these claims were borne out by the weekend decision. - File Photo.
After a fortnight of dragging its heels, Pakistan on Saturday refused to directly accept India’s offer of flood relief worth $5m, suggesting, instead, that the aid be routed through the UN.
We hope that India does so, for Pakistan’s need is dire and delays in assistance can mean the difference between life and death for millions. It is for this reason that we must also reflect on the Pakistani stance. It is a matter of record that India’s offer was acknowledged by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said in New York that the Pakistan government appreciated and had accepted India’s initiative. As recently as Friday, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said that the offer had been accepted. The foreign ministry, however, maintained throughout that the matter was still under discussion, and these claims were borne out by the weekend decision.
One wonders why there is so much confusion among the ranks of those who represent the government. It appears that despite Pakistan’s desperate need for aid, in the end political considerations were given precedence over the welfare of the citizenry. The latter requires immediate assistance regardless of its source.
Pakistan may have benefited if it had recognised that, given its tense ties with India, particularly after the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the offer constituted a confidence booster in terms of the possibility of improved relations in the future, something which has been attempted for some time now. True, Pakistan chose the middle ground.
It has not outright rejected India’s offer. But in choosing this route, it has exposed itself to allegations of political cynicism and ungraceful behaviour from the Indian press and public, particularly since India made the offer as a result of domestic criticism that its government was allowing political considerations to override humanitarian concerns.
Pakistan may have benefited if it had recognised that, given its tense ties with India, particularly after the 2008 Mumbai attacks, the offer constituted a confidence booster in terms of the possibility of improved relations in the future, something which has been attempted for some time now. True, Pakistan chose the middle ground.
It has not outright rejected India’s offer. But in choosing this route, it has exposed itself to allegations of political cynicism and ungraceful behaviour from the Indian press and public, particularly since India made the offer as a result of domestic criticism that its government was allowing political considerations to override humanitarian concerns.
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