Media coverage of Pakistan today was dominated by news of the government protesting India’s alleged airspace violation. According to Dawn, “Pakistan has said that Indian air force planes ‘inadvertently’ violated its airspace last week, flying over the Pakistani-administered part of Kashmir and the eastern city of Lahore.” Reuters added in its coverage, “Pakistan said its own fighter jets were scrambled to chase off the intruders, but it also played down the incident by describing the violations as ‘technical‘ and ‘inadvertent.’” On Thursday, Pakistan’s foreign ministry reportedly “summoned” India’s deputy high commissioner, Manpreet Vohra, and gave him a written letter against the intrusions, “saying they contravened a 1991 agreement aimed at preventing such incidents.” AAJ Television reported, “The note conveyed the ‘concern of the government of Pakistan on technical and airspace violations by Indian aircraft on December 12 and 13 in non-conformity with a bilateral agreement.’”
Reuters quoted an Indian Air Force spokesman, Mahesh Upasani, who reiterated India’s claims that they had not violated Pakistan’s airspace. He told the news agency, “We stand by what we said earlier, that we have not violated their airspace. This is not true.” After the incident allegedly took place last week, GEO Television reported, both President Asif Ali Zardari and PM Yousaf Raza Gilani called the incident, a “technical error.”
India on Tuesday stated that the Indo-Pak peace process has been placed on “hold,” although it emphasized that it “was not preparing for war.” Pakistan’s foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi also made diplomatic statements Wednesday, expressing confidence that bilateral dialogue would resume. However, given the current state of affairs, India canceled their 2009 cricket tour of Pakistan, which was slated to take place during the months of January and February. CNN reported, “Indian Cricket Board officer Ratnakar Shetty confirmed they had been notified about the government’s decision although he did not rule out the matches going ahead at a neutral venue.” He told the news agency, “No decision has been made on playing Pakistan at a neutral venue…We have not planned an alternative tour as yet.” BBC News added in its coverage, “It is the third major cricket tour to Pakistan this year to be canceled on security grounds. Australia pulled out of their scheduled visit in March, while the International Cricket Council also postponed the Champions Trophy one-day tournament in September.” The news agency added, “The Pakistan Cricket Board fears this latest decision could cost it £13 million.” [Image from Reuters]
by the way thought you may want to link to this article which has to do with the cricket aspect of the discussion…
http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/srilanka/content/story/382370.html
and
http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/pakvind/content/story/382819.html
Thanks Sheri-
I think the money aspect of the cricket development is interesting, too. BBC reported this:
“The PCB recently signed a new television rights deal worth approximately £90m with the Dubai-based organisation Ten Sports, but it includes a clause which stipulates that if a series is cancelled, nothing will be paid. “
yeah pakistan loses out big time financially because of this cancellation…i have a feeling and the PCB’s statements have indicated that the tour has been cancelled on India’s end from a higher power,, i.e. govt. intervention…unfortunate
what i find to be funny about the whole airspace thing is how western experts and officials have been saying it could not have been inadvertent but our gov had been adamant about it being a mistake..i suppose in the hope of calming things
Yeah, they were definitely performing damage control, so not to inflame anti-India sentiment in the country.
Oh, I read this article today and thought it was super interesting: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7789909.stm
It’s about how the Mumbai attacks and the subsequent India media coverage has spurred Indian broadcasters to produce a set of rules on how to cover live events.
didn’t see that…thanks!it was awesome…facebook post!
[...] Reuters added in its coverage, “Pakistan said its […] Read more at: CHUP! – Changing Up Pakistan air force planes, bilateral agreement, bilateral dialogue, cricket tour, fighter jets, foreign [...]
@ next Indian violation,
perhaps Pakistan should
get them on the “silly mid-on”
The mood in India currently is not in favor of playing Cricket in Pakistan and with Pakistan. 3 days of live rampage on TV is still too much in the minds and hearts of India. I never seen any issue, how much ever big it is, not there on indian news paper as a headline beyond 3 days. This is the first incident which is still alive on first page even after 3 weeks.
In a way I am happy that this tour is cancelled because any small issue at this time would create a wide gulf between both the countries. Also I am happy for a cordial tone in which the message is communicated to PCB.
For PCB it is loss of Rs. 240m and also there would be some extent to BCCI.
But these days BCCI is somehow convinced that subcontinent, more is India has become mecca of Cricket. Surplus of money in its coffers and ability to arm twist ICC not to cancel its chance from hosting World Cup, helped it taking a decision to skip this beat of heart.
Why is Pakistan angry at the cancellation of tour. Pakistani’s believe in the following verse
“Hum [Pakistan] Karen Zulm to woh sarkari hai,
Tum [India] karo fariyad to woh gaddari hai”.
I mean after sponsoring terrorism for last 2-1/2 decades in India, the Kargil war, giving shelter to dawood and company and many more terrorists, Pakistan wants we Indians to believe that actually nothing emanates from Pakistan. “YEH TO SAB ALLAH KI MARZI HAI”.
That India is not taking any jingoist action and is resorting to peaceful methods of protests, like cancellation of cricket teams tour has become an eyesore for the Pakistani establishment and media.
Pakistan as a nation needs to evolve and understand that trying to destroy others by fuelling violence and terrorism will not help in their nation building. These resources should have been used by the Pakistan establishment in serving their poor people.
I am an Indian and won’t shed one crocodile tear on cancellation of this tour. I love India-Pak cricket encounters and I like many a Pakistani cricketers, but to think that cricket can be kept away from politics is naive. ANd at tjis juncture, playing cricket with Pakistan is an indirect way of sending a message to Pakistan to continue with its erratic ways, which is not good for long term.
Let things cool down. Let their be a positive movement from Pakistan by dismanteling the terror network they have built. Let Pakistan show a semblence of maturity in their political dealings with India. I bet, India would extend 2 hands for peace if pakistan even extends one finger.
We are a mature nation and dont want war or expenditure on such issues because we know that we need money for our people and our society for eduction, health, agriculture, shelter and economic betterment. These are matters of prime importance in our country. Unfortunately, the Pakistan army and establishment thinks that India is scared to go to a war and thats why continues with its eccentric and unpardonable behaviour.
You would not post this blog, I know because it speaks the truth and the hard facts but if this message can reach even one Pakistani, it’s enough.
@ India is peace loving country,
India can be peace loving country ! well, but this
is not important,
are INDIANS peace loving ??
I love Indian cows, they are peace loving and
respect and gurantees non-injurious to all
minorities !
Ham (India) karen zulm to wo hatdharmi hai,
Tum (Pak) karo faryad to tum balwai ho
hows that ? mid-wicket bouncer and…….bowled !!!
your comment shows again, your bad habbit of
Dhobbi ki pand, all on Pakistan !!!
ha ha ha , as usual every thing come from India
is ” yeh to sab Ram ki marzi hai ” Lord Brahmaa.
(warning ) !
The Indian decision was always on the cards. Sri Lankan cricket board has done a great gesture by stepping in to replace the Indians. This is a sign of a true friend. In the 1996 world cup, foreign teams were wary of touring Sri Lanka. Pakistan cricket team toured them to dispel any impressions of violence in the island country.
A FRIEND IN NEED IS A FRIEND INDEED.
Thanks Arjuna Ranatunga, a great friend.
Hammad.
Vajood.com
Any game/sport is smaller form of war in the battle field, without shedding a drop of blood. I would encourage people to settle in the in field, rather battle field.
Regarding Pakistan not controlling the terrorist activities, I truely believe Zardari had put efforts by offering olive branch on Kashmir issue, bringing ISI under interior ministry and accepting to sending ISI chief. But is he a power centre in Pakistan, though he is the first person of Pakistan. He had to take a U-turn on all the attempts he made to build the bridges.
For India to bark at wrong tree is a not a fruitful option. We should establish dialogue with Military which controls ISI and pampers directly/indirectly the enemies of humanity.
Srilanka being a true friend; For people who understand the international affairs and run the countries – any neighbour is an enemy and neighbour’s neighbour is a friend. Especially it is true in 3rd world countries where resources are limited and competition is high. Who doesn’t want extra money in their pocket if one is going to be jobless for next 6 months?
@ Ravi,
thanks for admitting war-mongering sensation
you posses !!
Yes Zardari can play a stooge, but don’t have illusions,
olive branch exist also in Israel, he has to be carefull
on his Indian connections, if he does not play Indian
peon as PPP ANP & MQM leaders are, he can survive,
otherwise, a la porte, monsieur !! raus raus
yes Indians barking at wrong tree, dialoguing with
army, ISI was done as usual, perhaps India was the
best client of Bhutto’s martial law provider secular army
tedpoles, now perhpas its different !
Sri Lanka is also one of the victim of Indian terrorism
like others e.g. Bangladesh, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan,
and Kashmir.
@Hammad-ul-Haq,
this is called one of the facets of Indian
anti-Pakistan diplomacy
@ Kalsoom,
its amazing, what I have been telling you all on
your blog and four other blogs, on Batilans, Indian
disasterous policies in Kashmir, within India masscres
of minorities, now are even told by others on media just
check,
(some of the roshakhayyal blogs even punished me
for that, how can a small voice be heard from a crowd of
such farsighted intellectual nababs )
http://www.youtube.com/watch 2v=21db/war/kle
Webster Tarpley
@ In case of war imposed on Pakistan, we must fight back
destroy our enemy, even if we have to send 25 millions
of mujahideen into India !! to teach them good lesson.
third degree armed Jihad will be in rigour, agains all
agressors ! Inshallah we will defend.
Its the same story everywhere…Pakistanis are letting out unnecessary war cries against India, while the terrorist are having a hearty laugh. I think you are forgetting the J.W Marriott incident; which was big enough in magnitude to be Pakistan’s 9/11…but your government turned a blind eye towards it. The people killed were citizens of your own country and they were killed by the same breed of terrorists who attacked Mumbai.Your government is again ignoring the situation and making it look like an Indian ‘ploy’ to weaken Pakistan…the last thing anyone wants is war. The same Talibans who are trying to woo the Pakistani masses with their show of ‘patriotism’ will not hesitate to resume killing your people once the present international situation cools down.We Indians DO NOT want your land..we only want you to root out terrorism which has developed within your country so that people in both the countries can leave in peace.
@Emraan,
let me pick few of your precious revelations,
On marriott, yes, our Govt. was not even interested.
The same breed of terrorism “the takfiris” are part of
the Grand Consortium of Terrorism that I had termed as
Batilans aslo repeatedly mentionned by Webster Tarpley
on Alex jones on youtube, just check
http:/www.youtube.com/watch 2v=21db/wrskle
webster Tarpley
Indians, Israelis, are training takfiris. India has blocked
river waters, looking for provocation and war, certainly
India will be responsible for any such catastroph.
you say :
” We indians DO NOT want your land…
(give this bulls….t to the outgoing Bush)
But we Pakistanis want the other 34 % of Punjab, and
Junagargh Manwadar, and Hyderabad, and you will
give up those as agreed in 1947 round table.
Kashmir will be very soon out of your map.
you say:
” we only want you to root out terrorism “,
how about your terrorist Industry where Israelis are
your trainer-advisors, why ? you want to have
monopoly on this Industry ?
would you try to leave the peace or live it ?
as did “try-to-be-sexy-human-rights”
Natasha Paracha tried to sing her version of Indian¨
vande mataram.
@Rafay Kashmiri
‘But we Pakistanis want the other 34 % of Punjab, and
Junagargh Manwadar, and Hyderabad, and you will
give up those as agreed in 1947 round table.
Kashmir will be very soon out of your map.’
Quite clearly Pakistanis have not learnt from the ‘65 & ‘71 wars. You tried to take Punjab & Kashmir but ended up losing half of your country and 2/3 of your armed forces.Its time you people are jerked back to reality…just see what happened when you tried to take Kashmir in ‘99..we bashed you up so hard that your government didn’t even have the courage of accepting the numerous bodies of your dead soldiers.We’ve had enough of your bullshit threats over the years..we don’t really pay any attention to the barking of stray dogs and when they get really annoying we put them back to where they belong…on the streets.
@Emraan,
your fantasm would not even allow you to tell
what have you done with your dead bodies, have
they reincarnated already.
You are trying for the last 61 years, we hav’nt lost
the other half, otherwise why India is accusing
Bangladesh taking Pakistan’s side,
they were and are with Pakistan, just why did’nt you
annexed the conquered territory ? like you did to
Sikkim ?
Oh yes, you are afraid of us, your Nehru, was,
Why Shastri, went to Russai begging peace ?
Bajpai said it, barking dogs can more dangerous than the
air pumped bigmouths !
India has declared war on Pakistan, let us see who is
the one who starts !