Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani also expressed his desire that the Siachen issue should be solved and more money be spent for the welfare of the people instead. Peaceful coexistence is the solution for moving forward in all the fields. The resent natural calamity at Siachen in Gayari sector has brought the more than 30 years old dispute at lime light. The human losses at this sector run in thousands from both sides. The casualties are not due to the fight between India and Pakistan but due to exceptionally harsh weather.
A lot of resources of these two poor neighbours are being spent in this futile issue instead of fighting the poverty and illiteracy. Pakistan has asked the Indians number of times for resolving the different issues through dialogue but unfortunately the response from other side is always lukewarm. I think gone are the days of occupying or capturing land of other countries; therefore the solution of all the problems is talking to each other. Ex-prime minister Mian Nawaz Sharief has spoken in favour of solving this issue and most of the people also have the same opinion.
In the past it has been blamed by the politicians that powerful army of Pakistan is not in favour of solving the issue and wants to keep the pot boiling. Now the opportunity must be seized by both the democratic governments to solve this issue for the betterment of the people. The hardliners or hawks have kept hostage the governments and people of India and Pakistan for any settlement of the disputes. Attempts or initiative made by different leaders have been foiled by these so called self proclaimed custodians of ideologies of both countries. Bold initiatives are required to break the shackles of ego and statuesque. There is also a realisation on both sides of the border that irritants must be solved as said by Mr Shatrogun Sinha in a TV show on 17 April 2012.
A number of confidence building measures has been taken by Pakistan and India, like giving the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India, meeting of President Asif Ali Zardari to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, resumption of dialogue and discussion on Turkministan-Afganistan-India and Pakistan (TAPI) gas pipeline. India is spending huge amount on defence which can be diverted for the welfare and prosperity of the people.
The whopping $38.6 billion budget for the year 2012-13 is having 17 percent substantial increase from the yester year’s defence budget and India is the number one buyer of the weapons since last five years. Soviet Union collapsed due to huge spending in defence and I am afraid that same may be the case with India.
Pakistan has always tried to go an extra mile in having good relations with India but unfortunately response from other side is very slow. No progress has been made since last 64 years on the issues of Kashmir, Sir Creek and Siachen and the water storage. The need of the hour is that both countries should make concerted efforts and fight against poverty, illiteracy, terrorism and fanaticism and give their people a prosperous and happy future.
SHAHID ZAHUR
Rawalpindi
