Post victory reflections

So much to unpack. 

Yes, an undisputed victory for PAF and by extension Pakistan and its armed forces.Thanks to J-10 C, PL 15 and PAF for immaculate planning and fantastic execution. They have created history, changed the air warfare dynamics and stamped authority of their skill levels along with the ascendancy of Chinese technology. 

Humility in victory is key to success specially when there are not many successes in the past to bask upon. 

Why it all came to this point?

The root cause of Pahalgam showdown between Pakistan and India remains unaddressed. Who did it? What was the objective? These questions need answers because possibility of any terror incident recurring in IOK cannot be ruled out. In future, Indian reaction to such eventuality may be less hysterical due to psychotropic medication of Banyan ul Marsoos. Yet, it will react whichever way it chooses to. 

Right after the Pahalgam incident, frenzied Indian media was quick to pounce on Pakistan without any shred of evidence which went against India all through this episode. May be BJP and its leadership got carried away in the wake centenary of RSS. 

Fate of IWT is still hanging in balance. Would be appropriate to go to the same mediator - US to settle this issue as well. 

They crossed the line by targeting settled areas of Punjab. Though it never felt like an all out war. The Bollywood style optics at the MEA briefings with Kashmiri FS and two lady officers were as low grade as Indian films are. 

Both sides accrued political mileage. National fervour was spectacular. Most unpopular government in Pakistan’s history has victory under its belt but it’s an open secret that real victor is COAS. Give him credit that his legs were not shaking nor was he sweating like our previous COAS in 2019. For as long as response was not generated by Pakistan, there were fears that extremist Hindus who are much like extremist Jews would turn Pakistan into Gaza. A fitting response settled the jitters. 

US had to pivot and Trump took the credit for it all, adding peacemaking to his CV from ME to Russia-Ukraine conflicts. Might be a Nobel peace prize aspirant- who knows. But Pakistan’s nuclear capability is the bank guarantee which keeps it afloat with merely its head above water. West is nervous to let Pakistan fail, hence package after package of IMF and bail outs in such situations. India has its deep economic interests with US but it failed to stand up to China in Galwan episode, hence, slogan of ‘char sau par’ remained a dream for Modi in elections 2024. 

On international front, I felt serious insecurity among Indians being the only Hindu state as opposed to Pakistan which has so many sympathetic friends from China, Turkey to other Muslim countries. 

Spare a thought for Indian Muslims particularly Kashmiris - their lives shall get more miserable. Kashmiris are the worst losers after biggest betrayal since the turn of the Century by Pakistan. 

Spare a thought for foreign based Vloggers, who don’t know how to react to this situation specially that stammerer Adil Raja who in desperate attempt is now getting audience with Indian media spewing usual venom against Pakistan. 

Spare a thought for the innocent lives lost from Pahalgam to Hyderabad (PAF personnel). 

During this conflict, it was an appropriate opportunity to release IK. It would have added value to our current situation. But I guess, India budged too early to go up the escalation ladder and took the off ramp at first strike by Pakistan. Had situation escalated further, it might have had become a necessity to release IK. However, an act of magnanimity from the position of strength in greater national interest would have united the nation in a way that could have gone a long way towards achieving long term political stability in the country. If at all egos were less important than national interest. 

As the jubilations of victory settle, we are again confronted with challenges of poor governance, economic bankruptcy, political turmoil and menace of terrorism.

May Allah make it easy for Pakistan. Ameen