US newspaper Christian Science Monitor has named Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan on a starting list of world leaders who it considers deserve to qualify for this year's Peace Prize because of Khan's leading role in de-escalating recent tensions between India and Pakistan after Pulwama incident in occupied Kashmir.
These may be trying times for the Nobel committee. So many world leaders are considered to this year's Peace Prize. In the midst of their particular crises, each one is trying different ways to prevent violence and each can be held up as a model peacemaker, worthy of a supportive award. The biggest surprise in peaceful leadership and most critical to the world is Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan. The former cricket star has become focus of the entire South Asian region.
After the February 14 attack in Pulwama which killed 44 Indian security forces in occupied Kashmir, India violated Pakistan's airspace since the war in 1971 and both countries were primed for all-out conflict.
Pakistan, in response, shot down two Indian fighter jets and captured an Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Abhinandan Varthaman. In a goodwill gesture that suddenly changed the mood, PM Khan returned that pilot and also offered talks with India and promised to take stern action against whosoever was responsible for the attack if India provided evidence.
"Nobody wins in a war. Especially countries that have the sort of weapons that India and Pakistan possess should not even think of war...," he said.
Events are still moving in each country and the Peace Prize will not be known until October. For now, however, each deserves attention and support, especially for their conviction that peace is possible and natural.
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