Compromised short term steps like running to India in the garb of ‘Cricket Diplomacy’ have never produced any tangible results. Such initiatives inadvertently manifest acceptance of India’s ‘Big Brother’ status in terms of Indo-Pak relations.
It is ironic that the nuclear state Pakistan with wherewithal for surplus food and minerals of every kind is in such a sorry state of affairs that we are compelled to compromise national interests and seek clutches to survive. Why? What’s the bottom line difference between Japan and Pakistan? Why Germans have re-emerged as a technological and economic giant from the ashes of WW II? What’s so special about Singapore? Why England, a tiny water-locked nation, ruled the entire world?
When all is said and done what really matters is strength of character as a nation. We cannot enjoy meaningful relations with India or the world at large unless we speak from a position of strength which basically flows from character. Self-reliance’ and self-respect are the keywords for countries to rise above the fog and be accepted in the comity of nations as truly sovereign states.
We have no choice but to take hard decisions, to go through the mill without which getting back to the root of progress ‘Sirat i Mustakeem’ will remain a dream.
JAVED IQBAL MALIK
Lahore
