A nation is known by the enemies it has

Express Tribune

19-03-2025

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The Jaffar Express terrorist attack against Pakistan is a sad incident. The accusing fingers were raised toward Afghanistan. Later, India was mentioned as the culprit behind the terrorist attack by the terrorist group called Balochistan Liberation Army. They may label themselves with all kinds of fancy names but killing innocent people is the work of terrorists and cowards. And that is who they are.
However, I feel like Pakistan has lowered its game. We are displaying disgust toward Afghanistan in the same manner as we used to toward India, which by the way does not face the same aggressive attitude from Pakistan anymore. Until not too long ago, when terrorist attacks inside Pakistan would be orchestrated by India, not only did Pakistan globally shame India but everyone knew Pakistan would take revenge also.
Now, though, just a light critique of India happens followed by silence. And we as a nation have also subliminally accepted this new normal that criticising India is reserved for the highest foreign policy wins. That's the farthest we can go now. As long as we hear that the state does mention India in a negative light, we find solace in it. We feel like we are a proud nation. Whereas in India, the favourite pastime of their media is to keep bashing Pakistan as if they know there is not a thing Pakistan would say in response. The regime is too busy wearing western suits and making TikTok videos for self-promotion.
I remember during the 90s, when in a cricket tournament Pakistan would rest its lead players if the match would be against a significantly weaker team so as to not only ensure that the lead players would bring their A game against a tougher foe in the battles ahead but to also give an opportunity to some of the newer and weaker players to try their skills and talent. I feel like we have the weaker players in the government right now and so we are picking easier enemies to deal with and in the process are lowering the stature and standing of a nuclear-armed Pakistan.
Not too long ago, when Pakistan was almost always present in major US publications being blamed for creating instability inside Afghanistan and providing support for what the US at the time called armed terror groups. Pakistan always responded back aggressively with whatever extent it could. It targeted not only India but even the United States in its rhetoric. Movies such as Waar did not include India as the main target but rather the US. Despite the noise against Pakistan, it was fighting for its interests inside Afghanistan. Today, it seems to be fighting against its own interests.
I was listening to the basketball champion Michael Jordan in a Netflix documentary titled The last Dance. In one of the places, while talking about a tough game his team Chicago Bulls was playing in 1993, Jordan says he was happy about playing against a team that was the toughest competition at the time. It made them tough and elevated their game. That right there is the mindset Pakistan's regime doesn't have. You elevate your game when you take on tough enemies rather than finding a weak foe to shine your credentials with. That may allow them to gain some headlines in the nation's leading publications but it certainly is not good for the nation.
The mindset of the nation has sort of accepted the defeat. Pakistan cricket has nosedived tremendously. This was a team always among the top 3 in the world. The US travel ban alert, fake or not, laid bare some sad realities. The debate was whether Pakistan was in the yellow or the orange list. Almost nobody expected to be on no list at all. The defeatist mindset has engulfed the nation.