In June 1970, during the Vietnam War, a counter-culture protest song “War” by Edwin Starr topped the charts for more than three weeks. The lyrics, such as “War, What is it good for, Absolutely nothing”, “War, I despise Cause it means destruction of innocent lives, War means tears to thousands of mother’s eyes, When their sons go off to fight, And lose their lives”.

The Vietnam War ended, but today, wars are systematically destroying humanity all over the globe. The subcontinent too has been a flashpoint more or less during over seven decades since Independence in 1947.

When wars, conflicts, tensions, or laws are in motion, the first casualty is trade. Trade has been, is, and will continue to be hostage to contentious issues.

Pakistan, which is geo-economic strategically well-placed, endeavoured through its economic diplomacy to enhance regional bilateral trade, and even investment. Pakistan strongly advocated a trade relationship within the South Asian region. Notwithstanding the fact that trade with India, both formal and informal, tilted in favour of India, there has seldom been a smooth sailing of the trade regime. On 5 August 2019, the Government of India revoked the special status, or autonomy, granted under Article 370 of the Indian Constitution to Jammu and Kashmir, occupied and administered by India, and has been the subject of dispute since Independence. Trade was the main casualty.

The recent event in Pahalgam on 22 April 2025 has further deteriorated whatever bilateral relations Pakistan and India enjoyed. When billions are spent on a high-tech arsenal of Armed Forces, when political dominance becomes wobbly, and when arrogance results in a false sense of invincibility, then there is this strong compulsion to demonstrate superiority. Hence, all available options, or even crafted alternatives, come into execution.

The Hindutva mentality plays heavy on millions of citizens. These are the reasons why the Indian leader wanted war with Pakistan. Naturally, Pakistan’s political leadership and Armed Forces were not sitting idle. Hence, war hysteria was very much in the air.

The inevitable did happen, and that too in the dead of the night. The civilian and religious edifices of three cities were subject to the dastardly attack.........

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