Jadeed Khabar, in an editorial on December 12, wrote: “It has become imperative for Pakistan to act against all those elements present in its territory who are responsible for the growth of extremism. Extremism, in any case, is not tolerable because in today’s world, negotiations are key to resolving the most complicated problems. Extremism can be used to create new complications in any problematic situation.”

Sahafat, in an editorial (December 13), borrowing a line — ‘Jung talti rahe to behter hai’— from the famous Urdu poet Sahir Ludhianvi said: “Pakistani media is playing the tune of war for its people. But wisdom lies in keeping away from war because it does not solve problems; in fact, it makes problems more complicated and many new problems are created.”

Assembly Elections

In a front-paged commentary in Delhi-based Sahafat, entitled “Ab ‘Lauh Purush’ Advani ka kya hoga?’, on December 9), Nafees Ahmad wrote: “The results for elections to five Assemblies have brought up certain facts on which serious thought will have to be given by both the Congress and the BJP. One thing that has become clear by these results is that, now, election cannot be won with emotional slogans. Terrorism, indeed, is a serious problem and the common man is directly affected by it. But this common man does not like [it] that terrorism should be used as an instrument to garner votes.” Ahmad added that the efforts of L K Advani and other leaders of the “Saffron Brigade”, made “to derive benefit from the recent terrorist attacks in Mumbai, have been rejected by the common people of India.” Masoom Moradabadi, editor of Delhi-based daily Jadeed Khabar, in his column, on December 14, wrote: “The fact needs attention that the effort being made towards weakening the democratic process by a propaganda campaign against politicians, too, has failed completely because the poll percentage this time has been higher. It also proves that the people, angered by the inaction and corruption of today’s politicians, have not, so far, lost their faith in the democratic system.”

... contd.