Top leadership's credibility crisis? | The Express Tribune
Key Takeaways
- The Pakistani leadership is accused of sending mixed and contradictory signals regarding its relationship with China.
- President Zardari's 10-day visit to China lacked meetings with top Chinese leaders, raising questions about its significance compared to PM Sharif's earlier positive assessment of the 'ironclad' relationship.
- The article questions whether the recent high-level visits have enhanced Pakistan's prestige or the stature of its leaders.
- Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi was snubbed when the Indian cricket captain refused to receive the Asia Cup trophy from him in Dubai.
- Pakistan is criticized for its perceived 'meekness' in handling the trophy incident, as no official complaint has been lodged by Pakistani authorities against the Indian team's conduct.
The article argues that the current Pakistani rulers exhibit a lack of coordination, citing recent visits to China by the Prime Minister and President that sent mixed signals about the crucial Sino-Pak relationship. While PM Sharif had recently called the ties 'ironclad,' President Zardari's subsequent 10-day tour, which included family and focused on non-Beijing cities, failed to secure meetings with China's top three officials, leading to speculation it was a personal trip rather than a state visit. This contrasts sharply with previous high-level diplomatic engagement and raises questions about the elevation of Pakistan's stature. A second point of contention is the incident where the Indian cricket team captain refused to accept the Asia Cup trophy from Mohsin Naqvi, the ACC President. Although Naqvi reacted by taking the trophy back, the author laments Pakistan's subsequent 'meekness,' noting that the Pakistan Cricket Board or government has yet to lodge a formal complaint against the Indian team's conduct, unlike the BCCI's reported plan to complain against Naqvi.
