It will take a long time before the hate is replaced with goodwill on both sides.
NIDDERAU, GERMANY: This is with reference to Jyoti Malhotra’s article of December 3 titled “India-Pakistan businessmen and the JuD”.
It will take a long time before the hate is replaced with goodwill on both sides. But we must all try harder in that direction. There is no alternative to peaceful coexistence and friendly relations. In Pakistan, the army and the pro-Kashmir lobby does not like that, but they have to be convinced. Hate is like a sickness and needs to be treated so that the ‘patient’ can be cured of it.
I have some Indian friends and I find we have a lot in common. But we avoid tricky subjects like Kashmir or control over the sources of water in South Asia. I disagree with, but respect their views. I hope one day we have conquered the distrust and will become friends. If we were able to do that, then I could perhaps one day drive from Lahore to Amritsar, and come back the same day!
Sharif Lone
Published in The Express Tribune, December 4th, 2011.
