KARACHI:
Pakistan has long used religion to unite people. It is considered a form of identity that has helped curb discrimination based on language and culture. However, this approach cannot continue any further as we must learn to evolve with time. Using religion as the basis of uniting people has paved the way for much hostility against religious minorities and promoted sectarianism. This has caused many conflicts in recent years and has had a detrimental impact on the country’s overall image.
Many people have prescribed religious narratives to Pakistan in order to separate themselves from other non-Muslim countries. However, in an increasingly globalised world, we cannot use such rhetoric. Instead of finding differences with other countries, we must focus on cooperating with other countries through economics and trade. Otherwise, Pakistan will descend into economic and political isolation. Naturally, this can have serious consequences as no country is entirely self-sufficient. As a developing nation, we must concentrate on maintaining good relations with both regional and non-regional actors and avoid differentiations on the basis of religion. Non-regional alliances, shifting trends, modernisation, and prioritising national interests are things that Pakistan is still coming to terms with.
In an ever-changing political and economic environment, we must concentrate on safeguarding our national interests and promoting economic growth and development for the future. This will require Pakistan to foster relations with different countries around the world and enter into alliances that can serve our interests in the long term.
Muhammad Hamza
Lahore
Published in The Express Tribune, February 4th, 2022.
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