Our two neighbors India and Pakistan celebrate 65th anniversary of their independence on August 14th and 15th respectively. It was midnight stroke of August 14 and 15, 1947 when officially the British Raj (Rule), after 163 years, came to an end. The two countries since their freedom have been passing through challenges and conflicts leading to military clash. However, the people of both countries have always hoped for peace and friendly relations for prosperity and progress of the region.
Today both India and Pakistan are hit by Jihadi terrorism and religious extremism which has plagued the entire region. The conflicts run deep through 6 decades. Since 1947, both the countries have fought several wars resulting in nothing but loss of precious lives. Kashmir has been the hot issue of conflict and reason behind abovementioned wars between the two countries.
It has been a thorn for the improvement of relations between the two countries, thus affecting economic prosperity of the people of India and Pakistan as well as the entire region.
Today we are passing through an era marked by terrorism and extremism supported by both state and non-state actors. Unless there is a sincere channel of cooperation between the two nations to improve relations based on mutual interest and great good for the region, the situation will not change. Elements against peace and prosperity that support terrorism through state-resources and non-state actors should end the bloody cycle for the interest of their own people.
The leaders of both sides are needed to accelerate and generate atmosphere of trust and find mutual acceptable resolution to the bilateral issues in order to secure welfare of the poverty stricken people of Pakistan and India. Peace and prosperity of South Asia depends on the relationship between India and Pakistan.
A confident mutual political, economic and cultural friendly relation between Pakistan and India is the sole and ultimate factor of South Asian prosperity which can be initiated with a new start under utter sincerity from both sides.