The mindset of mutual hatred found in some people needs to give way to a shared vision for peace and prosperity.
ISLAMABAD: It is a matter of concern that religious parties in Pakistan are strongly opposing the grant of the Most-Favoured Nation status to India. There is no doubt that the ghost of past enmities is still haunting the minds of many people in both countries. Excesses against each other have been committed by both neighbours since independence. There is, however, a need to dispel the misunderstandings based on prejudices and stereotyped misconceptions.
India is a predominantly Hindu country but it is also the world’s third-largest Muslim nation. India still has governance problems and Muslims still face discrimination, but it is a democracy and has been since independence. India’s post-independence leaders successfully managed to separate the military from politics and that’s how it has been till this day.
The democratic culture in India nurtured dialogue and allowed for members of non-Hindu minorities to positions of importance. The mindset of mutual hatred found in some people in Pakistan as well as India needs to give way to a shared vision for peace and prosperity.
Dr Najeeb A Khan
Published in The Express Tribune, December 25th, 2012.
