“With faith, discipline and selfless devotion to duty, there is nothing worthwhile that you cannot achieve.”
― Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
The elections are over and now it is Imran Khan the 19th Prime Minister of Pakistan . Prior to the elections process there were some horrific acts of terrorism that spoiled the election process but the courage of the people that turned out to vote in the country’s general elections and showed their resolve to determine their country’s future.
In this first press conference after the election, Khan declared that India and Pakistan should meet for talks, ‘We want to improve our relations with India, if their leadership also wants it. This blame game that whatever goes wrong in Pakistan is because of India and vice versa.
In his victory speech he said that I am that Pakistani who has the most familiarity with Hindustan, I have been all over that country (for cricket). I think it will be very good for all of us if we have good and healthy relations with Hindustan. We need to have trade ties, and the more we engage in trading, the more both nations will benefit.
In his victory speech he spent some interesting words on Kashmir. Kashmir is unfortunately, the biggest core issue between India and Pakistan. The situation in Kashmir is worsening and alarming and the people of Kashmir have suffered massive human rights violations. That (rights violations) is the inevitable outcome anywhere in the world when army goes to civilian areas. The Kashmiris have suffered a lot in the last 3 decades. Furthermore Indo-Pak leadership should sit at a table and try to fix this problem. If we continue the blame-game , we will keep coming back to square one. We should attempt to resolve this once for all for the betterment and peace in Asian Sub Continent.
“If Hindustan’s leadership is ready, we are ready to improve ties with India. If you take one step towards us, we will take two steps towards you. Let’s take the first step at least”.
Here I would like to remind the upcoming Mr Prime Minister of Pakistan, the people of Kashmir are peace loving and indo pak relations has direct effect on our lives. Mr. Khan has a way to go beyond the processes initiated by his predecessors at office. Let me remind you Khan sahib, what Pakistan had already initiated on the name of peace and cooperation with India .
Despite tense relations between Pakistan and India for a long, there has been several signals of desire on both side to improve relations. Most notably, Pakistan’s army chief has on several occasions articulated an openness to evolving a modus vivendi with India. In a similar gesture, Indian defence minister has also stated that such peace overtures from Pakistan will be reciprocated well. Pakistan invited Indian military attaché to “Pakistan Day” parade. Pakistan hosted India with other Shanghai Cooperation Organization members to discuss regional terrorism. In September, Pakistan and India will participate in SCO joint counterterrorism exercises in Russia.
Caught between the current global strategic flux, india and Pakistan must incline to play a positive role in addressing their issues including Kashmir too. Rather than serving as America’s cat’s Paw. In the same case, thepositive signals from both the countries may create a conducive atmosphere to open doors for addressing major issues between both countries. Prolongation of tense Indo-Pakistan situation and the ever-present danger of war between two nuclear weapons states can only bring catastrophe to the region.
Both the leaderships should shun their attitude and come forward for sorting out all outstanding issues with particularly the Kashmir dispute. For the sub continent the cordial relation between India, Iran, Afghanistan, China, Bangladesh, Nepal & Pakistan are must and best relation between these countries will lead the region to overall stability, peace, development, and progress.
Syed MUJTABA (Human Rights defender) can be reached at [email protected]