This thread seems to have lost its direction. We need more pictures. Are you listening PAF? We are hungry. Feed us. LOL...
OK, a few things on a serious note - its a bit of OD but please bear with me.
1. Stop ridiculing each other. I did not think I would see seniors being ridiculed like this by know-nothing up-starts. Idiots, one & all. Y'all can be civil but you have to take your frustrations out on others in the name of patriotism, as though the others are less so.
2. Pakistan's relations & strategic orientation has definitely shifted - J-10CP being an indicator of it. The recent pronouncements from PM make it seem as though it is an irreversible swing & I regret his choice of words. Populism is cheap. He is looking at a desperate situation that is mostly of his own making & people should be careful in ascribing his fortunes to Western conspiracies. Establishment or no Establishment, the strategic direction would still be the same. A saner leader would make the shift seem gradual & without the current bombast. It does not suit Pakistan's interests to brazenly commit to blocs. We must navigate to our advantage without antagonizing others.
3. It is in Pakistan's interest to maintain a strong position & then try to find peace partners in the region, including India. Yes, India because long term prosperity of the region is in making peace, improving connectivity, & reaping dividends. We must look beyond Modi & BJP. Having strong allies & having parity in weapons with our enemies should put us on road to peace, not war. If we are well-connected & secure, we do not need to belong to any bloc. Chinese BRI is a game-changer for the region. If sanity prevails in India, they would see it too. We can work for the region instead of playing bloc politics. Again, populism is cheap & easy. It takes vision to look beyond the obvious.
I foresee a change in thinking in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war. We should use this opportunity for peace. Pakistan, China, & India should be partners in peace and to me it is quite obvious that this is where future lies. The only use of weapons is to make us secure so that we may approach future with confidence. J-10 should help us do that.
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