Pakistan became a security state right from the first day since independence. The masses still live in abject poverty that is deprived of necessities.
There is a dire need for regional cooperation for the well-being of inhabitants of the world’s two nuclear neighbours, India and Pakistan.
An astounding figure of 45% of the developing world’s adult illiterate women living in South Asia. Pakistan ranks at 144 out of 188 countries in UNDP Human Development Index (HDI) score while India stands at 130. Both countries continue to spend huge sums on defence, maintaining massive armies, and continue to embark on an arms race. Are we protecting those who have no access to toilets and children who have stunted growth due to malnutrition?
Frequent tension escalations between India and Pakistan makes South Asia as one of the most dangerous places in the world. There hostility and animosity between neighbours who have a shared history dating back from Indus Valley Civilization need to halt for lasting peace.
Pakistan has been hit by several military coups that weakened democracy, which is still in infancy stages. In our counterpart, India which was not hit by military dictatorships, a weak democratic system coupled with a lack of politically aware and vigilant civil society, gave room to communalisation. Anti-Pakistan forces have been mushrooming who project extremist narratives and influence India’s regional policy.
A change in policy on both sides of the border and concerted efforts towards long-lasting peace will help isolate war mongers in India and Pakistan. Ensuring peace will help Pakistan strengthen democratic institutions and shift focus towards empowering the vast human resource. India will benefit by glueing to its foundational philosophy of promoting secularism and growing on the world’s reputation of being a multi-ethnic country that embraces diversity and pluralism.
A harmonious South Asia will allow greater breathing space, allocation of resources towards the alleviation of rampant poverty. A peaceful environment will boost trade and invite greater foreign investment in both countries. Joint ventures in the realm of economic and social cooperation will produce many employment opportunities and stimulate the economy in both nations. Increasing cooperation could culminate in larger economies of scale. A denuclearized, democratic, progressive, and pro-people policies oriented Indo-Pak will curb the hate fueling mindset as human development will take precedence over violent elements. Now the onus is on the 1.5 billion people of India and Pakistan to strive for peace and tranquillity.