It’s been sixty years since Pakistan achieved freedom. It’s been six decades since Hindustan (pre-partition India) was partitioned into India and Pakistan.
14th January 1947 was the day printed in golden ink in Pakistan’s history because it got freedom from Britain. But, before the British left Hindustan, they partitioned it into two nations, India and Pakistan, thanks to the efforts of Mohammad Ali Jinnah. And who can forget the gory incidents before and just after partition of the country between Hindu dominated India and Muslim dominated Pakistan? Innumerable lives were lost in the inhuman sacrilege on both sides. However, freedom means freedom and Pakistan has been celebrating the day as its Independence Day for 60 years.
Despite being the offspring of the same progenitor (Hindustan), Pakistan has been exporting and breeding terrorism into India, which it denies every time. Even its demand for Kashmir from India gets louder with every passing minute. Inside its own country, Pakistan is facing turmoil. The political situation calls for scrutiny, as the very militants that it bred until now have taken up arms against it. With the President General Pervez Musharraf reluctant on holding elections, the situation seems to deepen.
No doubt, the country has progressed, but with it hatred for India has doubled. And the very prime example is the Kargil war, which nearly brought both countries to the brink of nuclear war, thanks to the then Pakistan army General and present President Pervez Musharraf. Ever since its independence, Pakistan has been preaching hatred and animosity for India.
While on the other side, India celebrates its Independence Day a day after Pakistan. Compared to Pakistan, India has a stable political leadership that has taken the country to new highs. However, India has been spending too much on its defenses, thanks to Pakistan’s export of terrorism into India’s territory. Also India has been fighting Naxalism inside its territory. Moreover, the income inequality between the rich and the poor is a cause of concern for the country that is the second fastest growing economy in the world.
However, the exchange of civilian prisoners from both countries on the eve of their Independence Day is a goodwill gesture. And the opening of transport routes between both India and Pakistan will certainly help in bringing the nationals from across the border closer.
Both sides should try to sort out their differences rather than maligning each other, be it Kashmir, Siachen or Sir Creek issue. Boosting their trade ties can be a relation booster.
Let us hope that India and Pakistan will begin on a new leaf from their 60th Independence Day. But, is it that simple?
Via: BBC
