But when unneeded visits take the form of an endless procession, then it only ends up in muddying the waters , according to a Pakistani envoy, thereby exposing Pakistan to ridicule. Here, both Government and Opposition figures have to share the blame. In the 200th year of Tipu Sultan s martyrdom at Seringapatam, the memory of the Lion of Mysore is being honored more in the breach of his legacy of dignity, self-reliance, and daring. This nonstop and one-sided courtship combining elements of supplication and sycophancy makes a mockery of Iqbal s concept of khudi. In fact, unsolicited visits degrade, humiliate, and devalue the nation, suggesting panic in the ranks over the perceived lack of strength back home.
Constant visits tire out the hosts, disgust the community, and embarrass well-wishers.
Familiarity, it is said, has a way of breeding contempt. If the government cuts down its own visits its opponents visits, which are a natural concomitant to the former would naturally decrease. In the end, the message is garbled and the nation demeaned through this continuing karvai under the garb of patriotism. A visiting top-rank leader told this scribe that there is considerable negativity in Washington circles about Pakistan. To combat that, however, requires a new method and a fresh message.