Leading Pakistani political parties have pledged to promote peace with New Delhi in their manifestos ahead of the elections next month with the Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) even proposing to do so by linking India with Afghanistan besides energy- rich Iran and Central Asian Republics (CAR) via its territory.
The proposal of PML (N), whose leader and two-time prime minister Nawaz Sharif is among the front-runners for the country’s top post, is significant as Islamabad has long resisted allowing transit trade between India and Afghanistan fearing New Delhi is using Kabul to encircle it strategically. India is a leading regional donor having invested $2 billion, primarily in Afghan infrastructure development.
“Pakistan can also develop a flourishing transit economy because it provides the shortest land routes from Western China to the Arabian Sea, through the Gwadar Port, while linking India with Afghanistan and CAR and providing land route from Iran to India and access to the Central Asian Republics to the Arabian sea and India for oil/gas pipelines,’’ the PML (N) said in its manifesto.
The manifesto of Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), widely expected to give the PML(N) a tough fight, echoes its rival party in part. “Progressive detente with India will benefit both countries if centred on conflict resolution and cooperation, especially in the field of energy.’’
The votes may be cast in Pakistan but prayers are being shot off from India. As rich and powerful politicians face general elections in Pakistan’s wobbly politics where winning and staying alive in a violence prone land are equally the objectives, they are reaching out in droves for the “benefactor of the poor” or Gharib Nawaz, Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti of Ajmer, for blessings.
The khadims (priests) at Ajmer’s 12th century shrine are busy sending special prayers for Pakistani candidates cutting across party lines, which just might overwork the Sufi saint. The contestants, including, ironically, some backed by extremist groups, are not only seeking prayers at the dargah but also statements and appeals from khadims to vote for them in the May 11 elections.
Pleas have been placed for president Asif Ali Zardari and prime minister Raja Parvez Ashraf. A Pakistan People’s Party candidate Aziz-ur-Rehman Chan, fighting from Lahore federal, said, “Khwaja Sahab is the spiritual head of our people. They (priests) back only those candidates who have faith in the holy shrine.”
Others like Pakistan Muslim League leader Farid Chishty Sahab, are making ‘mannat’ – pledging that the first thing they will do after winning is visit Ajmer. Farid Chishty is contesting from Pak Pattan.
Former cricket icon and chief of Tehreek-e-Insaaf, Imran Khan’s massive political rally on Sunday ended at the shrine of Hazrat Data Ganj Baksh Shrine in Lahore.
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