Nawaz Sharif’s views

dawn.com
Nawaz Sharif’s views
26th May 2011
http://www.dawn.com/2011/05/26/nawaz-sharifs-views.html

LAST week a very thought-provoking post-Osama letter from a Pakistani (supposedly from Islamabad) appeared in the Jakarta Post suggesting that Pakistan should look for ‘another’ option!
I also feel that Pakistan should reflect for new options with an open mind and trace back its steps to figure out what brought it to its condition of today and then try to ‘undo’ all of them.
I am sure Pakistanis are as resourceful and talented as we Indians are. I don’t know how Pakistanis feel about this, but we Indians feel that Indians and Pakistanis are basically from the same stock. We appear, think, dress and (barring beef) eat alike! I am sure that if Pakistan determines to stand on its own feet, come what may, they will also come up winners like we Indians have done! For development of its economy and basic infrastructure, Pakistan could take loans but it should refuse to take aid in any form. Borrowing and repaying is the best policy as it is without any strings attached.
I can cite an Indian scenario of 1991 when Indian economy had hit rock bottom and India didn’t have the foreign exchange needed for its day-to-day requirement. In those dark days, India had airlifted its bullion to the IMF to get foreign exchange. India took this humiliating step but still refused all forms of aid. Such decisions have made Indians tough and tenacious! I hope Pakistan emulates this example on its way to greatness!
The day would be written in golden letters when Pakistanis realise that India is their friend. Nawaz Sharif expressed these feelings the other day in Karachi when he urged Pakistanis to stop looking at India as their biggest enemy. I admire his courage and statesmanship in making this statement to herald a new golden era of mutual friendship. I sincerely hope that Pakistan extends its hand of friendship towards India.
Though partition was painful, Indians have gotten over it.
K.B. KALE, Jakarta