The entire world has a stake in the future of Pakistan. And we Indians have it more than anybody else. Well, one can change friends or enemies but can’t change neighbours. Neighbours are permanent and the sooner we realise this, the better it is for us.
India has to live with Pakistan. Any disturbance in the neighbourhood would definitely have a spill-over effect. And it is in our own interest to make sure that Pakistan gets on the right track and shun terrorism and fundamentalism.
Pakistan has the potential to be the guiding force to the entire Islamic world. There are progressive, liberal-minded Pakistanis who want to see a modern Pakistan which has no place for Taliban and other rogue elements.
Pakistan Fashion Week showed a completely new and different image of the nation where burkas and hijabs are not uncommon. In an open defiance of the Taliban's preference for strict adherence to modest Islamic veils, models strutted down the catwalk in couture fashion that was both elegant and racy.
India and the world must act as catalyst for Pakistan. Compared to other Islamic nations, Pakistan is no doubt more liberal and progressive. Nothing can be more disastrous for the world than a failed Pakistan.
Today, Pakistan is facing a major crisis of confidence. Pakistan is not Afghanistan or Iraq. We just can’t afford to sit and let a nuclear Pakistan, with a total population of over 170 million people, go down.
Losing Pakistan, therefore, is not an option. The world needs to remind Pakistan’s top leadership about the founding father of Pakistan, M A Jinnah. A modern Muslim democrat Jinnah championed the cause of women, minorities and the constitution.
The time has come to instill confidence in Pakistanis that it’s very much possible to balance modernity with the traditions of Islam.
Today, Pakistan is lying on the death bed. It urgently needs the oxygen from India, America and the entire world. There are no two ways about it. But would the world oblige?
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by Jaix on 2009-11-09 00:00:00
There is an old saying and a wise one too. "You can take a horse to the pond but you cannot make it drink." Even recently may be a couple of days back, I read Nawaz Sharif talking of "freeing Kashmir". This shows what drives an ordinary Pakistani's mind as that's what their leaders want to take advantage off. Pakistan is living off crumbs thrown by the IMF and US. It basically has no economy. Pakistan-China alliance is also a bad sign, as the Chinese crooks WILL use Pakistan as a pawn. US has no stand whatsoever. Every new US administration takes a different stand in respect to Pakistan. Some want a stable India-Pakistan and some don't want the stability in the region. I don't know how much longer we can harp about love and friendship with Pakistan as it appears that Pakistan is run completely by forces external to it. It is a complete puppet in the hands of foreign governments and is at the mercy of its Military/ISI. The situation is so bad that they have even diverted the donations for the earthquake to support terrorist groups!! I really doubt if an ordinary citizen has any control of the situation. I don't know what if any, India can do, but I believe Pakistan is beyond redemption. As the saying goes.. "You can take the horse to the pond, but you can't make it drink."
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by Vij Chandra on 2009-11-07 00:00:00
None of the comments so far give hope for the future. I suggest that the division of the Indian sub-continent was done without a democratic vote of the people,to provide Britain an easy exit.As Pakistanis are so fond of plebicites, they should readily agree to a 'Grand Plebicite' in which the people of the three nations affected by British flight, vote for the reunification (or not)of the sub-continent. Without a majority positive vote for reunification, the sub-continent is doomed to provide sub-human conditions for all its inhabitants. Remember China would not be what it is,if the Japanese occupation resulted in the sub -division of that sub-continent!
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by suresh on 2009-11-07 00:00:00
This is the truth that Pakistan is india`s neighbour. I have met so many people from pakistan and they are very 2 nice and respectful.Indian policy maker should enagage such forces from Pakistan who has the same mind set and work together.Both countries should not dwell on the past but should look ahead.let us not use kasmir as a tool for our problems but Kashmir should be used as a guiding light to solve our issues to ort out our differences.Sports and cultural activities should stand tall and told their respective governments not to abuse these two institutions. iNDIA and Pakistan should shake hands and progress and learn from each other.I agree with this article and support it. I would love to visit pakistan.
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by suresh on 2009-11-07 00:00:00
This is the truth that Pakistan is india`s neighbour. I have met so many people from pakistan and they are very 2 nice and respectful.Indian policy maker should enagage such forces from Pakistan who has the same mind set and work together.Both countries should not dwell on the past but should look ahead.let us not use kasmir as a tool for our problems but Kashmir should be used as a guiding light to solve our issues to ort out our differences.Sports and cultural activities should stand tall and told their respective governments not to abuse these two institutions. iNDIA and Pakistan should shake hands and progress and learn from each other.I agree with this article and support it. I would love to visit pakistan.
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