India, Pakistan have to bury hatchet
Farooq’s thought-provoking letter (May 13) suggested that
Pakistan was looking for another option! Pakistan does need to reflect inwards
for new options with an open mind by tracing its steps backwards to figure out
what brought it to its present condition and then try to “undo” these steps.
I don’t know what Pakistanis feel, but we Indians feel we
are basically from the same stock. We appear, think, dress and (barring beef)
eat alike! Some Pakistanis are surely as resourceful and talented as we Indians
are. I am sure that when Pakistan decides to stand on its own feet, they will
also come up winners just like we Indians have! For its economic development
and for building its basic infrastructure, Pakistan could take loans, but it
should refuse to take “free” aid as such, since aid always has strings
attached.
I can cite an example of India. In 1991, the Indian
economy hit rock bottom and it didn’t have the foreign exchange it needed for
its day-to-day requirements. In those dark days, India had to pledge (and actually
shift) its bullion to the IMF to get foreign exchange. India took this
humiliating step but still refused all “free” 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 letters of gold when Pakistanis realize that India is their genuine
(and best) friend. Nawaz Sharif expressed these feelings the other day in
Karachi when he urged them to stop looking at India as their biggest enemy. I
really admire his courage and statesmanship to say this, because it ushers in a
new golden era of Indo-Pakistan friendship. I sincerely hope that Pakistan
extends its hand of friendship toward India. Borrowing a line from President
Obama’s inaugural address I say India will extend a friendly hand toward
Pakistan if it is willing to unclench its fist.
India has no interest in occupying any Pakistani
territory that genuinely belongs to Pakistan. Though Partition was painful,
Indians have gotten over it. If there had been no partition, Pakistanis, as a
part of undivided India, would have been under uninterrupted democratic rule
with all the freedoms Indians enjoy!
Their country would have enjoyed a high growth rate,
respect in the World community and financial comforts that Indians enjoy: the
widening gap between the “haves” and “have-nots” notwithstanding! Though we are
split by partition, we can and must live as friendly neighbors. I feel it’s
time to bury the old hatchet and start a new friendship with India!
K. B. Kale, Jakarta
First published in JP on 27/05/2011
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/05/27/letter-india-pakistan-have-bury-hatchet.html
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/05/27/letter-india-pakistan-have-bury-hatchet.html
In response to my letter dated 27th MAY 2011, Jakarta's Javed Nisar wrote this letter
India, Pakistan should cooperate
This is in response to a letter by K.B. Kale, titled
“India, Pakistan have to bury hatchet” published in The Jakarta Post on May 27.
What you mention about India and Pakistan working
together is so true. I am from Lahore and have traveled to New Delhi from
Lahore a few times.
I have also traveled to China from North Pakistan and to
tell you the truth I feel so sad because of this political problem between
Pakistan and India.
When I am in India I see no difference between the two
countries.
In Lahore, there is a deep culture of Sikhs and Hindus,
which you can see and that is so amazing and beautiful because it gives color
to city like Lahore.
As a Pakistani I feel the same as Indians, as a matter of
fact, I even tell others that Pakistanis are Hindustanis because we are from
the same culture and need each other to be complete.
I also feel the pain of people who have had to leave this
side of Pakistan and have had to travel to the Indian side in 1947. It must
have been so devastating for them with all the things they had achieved on this
side and done, their birthplaces and the streets they grew up with.
They should be welcome to return to rebuild relationships
with these places where they grew up and they should share their stories so
this side can see them as who they are.
I truly believe it is time for us to move on and
Pakistanis are waiting for the right leader to step up and move the country in
the right direction.
The relations with India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, China
and Iran are all very important for us all because we are not very different
and look at the other aspect: business.
If these countries would collaborate (which will happen
eventually) and work together we would develop amazing business. And think of
the manpower we would have.
Can you imagine that? So thanks for your letter and I am
sure now Pakistanis and Indians are moving forward and things will happen,
Inshallah.
I am waiting for the day when we all will be able to
travel freely from Thailand to China through India and Pakistan, hassle-free,
and I am sure that day is coming soon.
Javed Nisar, Jakarta
Published in JP on 31st May 2011
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