It’s now a month since the Mumbai attacks. So many incidents have taken place. Some rightly justifiable. Some regrettable. And some, outlandish and bordering on the ridiculous (pun intended). Here is one of them.Yesterday, there was this report. I quote- "The Asif Ali Zardari government is under pressure to impose economic ’sanctions’ against India. Pakistan’s national assembly has passed a resolution along these lines and is very keen that Zardari acts on the collective will of the House." This to me, takes the cake.
Take a closer look at the sort of economic sanctions Pakistan, a nation that’s on the brink of bankruptcy is seeking. Thus spake one of their top leaders. " We must impose economic sanctions upon India by halting all kinds of trade."
According to certain reports, between July 2007 and April 2008, Pakistan imported goods worth $1.209 billion from India and it's exports to India were at $227 million during July 2007-April 2008. Which means that the trade deficit stood at around $800 million.
Well, ban India's exports to Pakistan, and there is a loss of around $ 800 million to be considered. But then, if that group of wise men in Pakistan's Senate is serious about not just imports from India, but overall trading with India, as an Indian I can but only rejoice.
We have imported stuff worth $300 million this year. But the price we have paid, and are paying, and will continue to pay will be a lot more than that. That's why I urge those wise Pakistani decision-makers to consider this ‘what-we-don’t-need-from-pakistan’ wish list. And given your penchant to add to anything an Indian, significant or otherwise has to say, do feel free to add to this list.
1- Please stop sending us those uncouth, uncivilized and unhappy gun toting 20-somethings to Kashmir.
2- Please stop sending us those B-grade movies you make out there.
3- Stop sending terror to our cities.
4- Stop sending us your conservative, outdated and primitive outlooks.
5- Please stop sending us cowards who love to hate peace.
6- Please stop sending us your insecurity and ignorance driven propaganda.
7- Please stop sending us those silly journalists' points of view.
8- Please stop sending us your filmmakers who want use our studios for their editing.
9- Lastly, if you really have the gumption, I dare you to stop sending your talented cricketers who stand to gain millions by being associated with India.
Finally, to quote the famous bard, "If you prick us, do we not bleed? If you tickle us, do we not laugh? If you poison us, do we not die? And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?".
