Hopes that the peace process will continue are raised by the fact that even the main opposition party, the PML-N, is on board with the plan to maintain good relations with India. It would have been very easy for the PML-N to play to nationalist sentiment and accuse the PPP of cosying up to our greatest enemy. Instead, it has put forth policies that go beyond even what the current government has achieved. The PTI, too, sees trade with India as an inevitability rather than a matter up for discussion. The main sticking point, as ever, remains the establishments and their proxies on both sides. The twin issues of Kashmir and militancy will always be the final stumbling blocks as hawks on both sides have shown no sign of softening their stance. The PPP and the Congress cannot ignore these issues forever.
Before we get too optimistic, it is important to remember that the two countries still retain the ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Just when a liberalised visa agreement was ready to be signed, it ended up being scuttled. Since then, no progress has been made on this issue. Person-to-person contact is necessary for people in both countries to realise that enmity is illogical. The next goal should be to make cross-border travel as painless as possible.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 27th, 2012.
COMMENTS (3)
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"Just when a liberalised visa agreement was ready to be signed, it ended up being scuttled"
You should have also mentioned who scuttled it. It was Rehman Malik who humilated the Indian home secretary who had come to your country to sign the agreement by saying that he was not senior enough in Pakistani eyes to sign this agreement.
" Earlier this year, Pakistan granted India the most-favoured nation trading status, leading to this latest round of economic liberalisation."
Actually Pakistan has still not implemented MFN status for India which is obligatory under WTO where Pakistan is a signatory. India had granted such a status to Pakistan in 1996. Pakistand makes promised but does not follow through. india on the other hand keeps on unilateral gestures.
If by solution to Kashmir Pakistanis mean Cessation from India.........I m afraid there will never be a solution.............Boundaries will not be redrawn esp India...By the way ET good editorial............