Pak won’t stop parade posture at Wagah

Pakistan Rangers has withdrawn its decision to stop the aggressive posturing during the flag ceremony at the Wagah border.

A Rangers spokesman said the gestures are part of a soldier’s routine, not meant to show hostility towards Indians.

At a meeting in Lahore on October 30, the Indian and Pakistani sides had talked about doing away with aggressive body language such as glares and replacing it with handshakes and smiles. The decision was taken by Pakistan Rangers’ major general Muhammad Yaqoob Khan and Raman Shrivastav of the India Border Security Force.

However, a press release by the Pakistan Rangers “clarified” that their jawans will continue to do the “enthusiastic” routine during the ceremony. The only change has been a decision to revive the formal handshake between the officers representing the two sides.

The statement issued by the Pakistan military said, “Media reports saying that Indian BSF had persuaded the Pakistan Rangers to tone down the aggressive gestures during the Wagah parade are baseless”.

According to major general Khan, the drill is not meant to be aggressive but “is part of a soldier’s routine, something he takes pride in”.