“There is always a risk of exaggerating the prospects of peace breaking out between India and Pakistan, just as there is that irrepressible tendency to overplay the fear of war lurking round the corner,” the Dawn wrote on December 30. Underscoring the love-hate connect between the neighbours, it concluded “notwithstanding what high strategy might dictate, at least the recent deafening hysteria on both sides of the border is abating.” It celebrated India’s generosity in “repatriating 65 Pakistanis languishing in Indian jails, despite rising tension.”

India tensions down

Hailing the telephonic conversation between the DGMOs of India and Pakistan, an article in The News on Dec 29 played pacifier saying: “The lingering tension between India and Pakistan seems to have proved short-lived as both have re-established military-to-military contact. That was only possible with the consent of top military leaders of both the countries — war never breaks out when forces on both sides of the border are prepared. The time of war has gone.” 

Daily Times’ editorial on December 30 was an advisory to Pakistan. “This signals the end of the period of threat in South Asia. The international community has weighed in against India’s policy of escalation against Pakistan, and that should make us realise that Pakistan should never isolate itself internationally by issuing belligerent statements... The PPP government should be congratulated for adhering to a moderate line while public passions were understandably high in the country and accusations of ‘speaking for India’ were being levelled against it. Now that things are back to normal, and Pakistan’s commitment against the terrorists in no way diminished, one must think of Pakistan’s other troubles”.