| Written by Aminur Rashid, |
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1860  |
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 Ever since I have heared of Pakistan, since I was a kid, I have been hearing about a notorious nation. And before you come to any conclusion, let me remind you that, when I was a kid (an innocent one) it was a different world, a world without the media revolution as far as sub-continent is considered. I have been believing, each statements of my government, be it involvement of Pakistani agencies in growing terrorism in Punjab and Kashmir, or be it in any mischief happening in our country. And, since I was not mature enough to differentiate between government policies and citizen's likings, I formed a notion about Pakistani nationals aswell, and this notion was by no means promising.
But like they saying goes, change is eternal. Time changed. We saw media revolution, we saw distances shrinking, increasing communication between the citizens of the two nations (thanks to Bills , Balmers, Ellisons and all minds that worked to bring in Internet) . Everything changed. Even I was no more a kid.  I was able to differenciate between political entities and general public. Even politicans changed. Suddenly peace was in Air. Bus services, train services, confidence building measures and what not - Joint Terrorism Mechanism. I can understand the need of all such positive activities, but still I can not understand the need of political friendship? Why friendship? Why so much stress for this fancy word? By friendship what I understand is a permanent positive mutual relationship. The key here is permanent. But anyone with even the slightest of idea of geo-politics, will be knowing that there is nothing permanent in politics except the political interests. Political friendship has never been eternal for any two nations. Each time, with change of government, policies have changed. And if the government change is because of any military coup, people may even have re-invent wheel. And the process continues. So instead of friendship, lets strive to have permanent political interests. Interests which may not warrant mutual cooperation for every second thing, but atleast expects minimum political interference from both side Lets forget about friendship (politically) and talk of mutual, common interests which benefits both the nation. And if we will search out for common interests of the two nation, we will find many. As in the end, the common man from both side of border are alike. Both struggle everyday to leave a mark in this day. Both have their share of success and failures. Both have their own similar dreams. Talk about the common problems both the country share, problems of illiteracy, malnutrition, women exploitation, child exploitation. These problems exists in large numbers. Even if their is no "friendly" co-operation between the two nations, to solve such common problem, their should be political trust to such a level that both countries can spend their energy in solving their own basic problems instead of thinking about the "next political move" of the other country. Leave friendship for the common people of the two countries. People do not need a political stamp to establish friendship. Its bound to happen, even if the political relationship between two countries reaches its nadir. By and large, common people from both side have already given way for friendship. (Well, we never count fringe elements with the masses and hence i said by and large). And this friendship has flourished without any vested motive or agenda. Which proves that common people, does not really care for political friendship between the two nation. Yes, we do hope that both the nation develop a mutual trust among themselves, even without being each other's friends. Politically.
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