Yours truly may not have travelled to Pakistan, but he has always had a soft corner for its peoples. If it's cricket on one hand, it's the picturesque locales of the country that have always made him inquisitive to explore the country. And let's not forget the likes of Wasim Akram, Imran Khan, Shahid Afridi, Atif Aslam, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Fawad Khan and Saba Qamar, big names from across the border this writer has always admired.
On a personal front, my personal experiences with Pakistan and Pakistanis as a whole have been cherishing enough. If my Karachi-based friend Umar Wahidi comes across as a person who never gives up on logic, during my days as a scribe, whenever I had to dial a Pakistani number, I never hesitated. And every time I spoke to one from across the border, I felt as if I was conversing with an Indian.
Be it Humaima Malik or Akram or Afridi, the co-operation from these big shots from Pakistan will always remain embedded in my heart. Never did it strike to me that they hailed from a nation, which had so many scores to settle with India.
Talk of Akram, I forced him to give me an exclusive despite the fact that he was running against time. But he was as charming as ever. On the treadmill, he told me that he was actually listening to Hindi numbers while shedding some calories. And Afridi (he may not remember), said, "You are from Hindustan Times (the newspaper I was working with)? Yes, I know you have an appointment with me. Go ahead."
On the contrary, as a journalist, I was kept waiting by a Bengali superstar who said he had no time because his work came first. Similarly, a versatile Bollywood actor, in Kolkata to shoot for a film directed by a filmmaker who has left for his heavenly abode, tested my patience and finally gave in.
Anyways, am I getting too personal? Yes, I am. To come back, Pakistan has never disappointed me personally. Yet, cross border terrorism disturbs me. Biased Pakistani media coverage at the behest of the political and military establishments out there is contradictory to what an average Pakistani feels.
I would second Kannada actress Ramya who says Pakistan is not hell as opposed to Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar's statement. She faces sedition charges and I dread facing the same after this article goes online. But, being a true patriot and an Indian and living in a democracy that allows freedom of speech (Yes even keeping Kanhaiya Kumar in mind), I would suggest that it's time to bring the civil society into action and it's only then can we expect some respite.
Far-fetched? May be, but that's a way out or else, even the all-party delegation's visit led by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh to the valley will yield no result. Talk to all stakeholders in Kashmir, but also take into confidence the ordinary Kashmiris. And when you talk to Pakistan, spare a thought for those ordinary citizens of the country who refuse to charge a penny if an Indian buys anything from them.
To wind up, I am in love with that section of Pakistan, which doesn't spew venom at my country and which is sick and tired of the protracted enmity with India. But I am certainly not friendly with those elements who survive on anti-India plank. Similarly, looking within, people with vested interests from my own country do not make their way into my good books. Beyond politics and diplomacy, there's something called humanity. And I bet be it Karachi or Lahore or Islamabad or New Delhi or Mumbai or Kolkata or Chennai, there are still some human beings left who think beyond political vendetta.
If I am booked on sedition charges, I am up for it, as I have spoken my heart out.
Allah Hafiz!!
Also check https://digantaguha.blogspot.in/2016/05/beyond-guns.html
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