We indians will support you for prosperous pakistan with good food and music in 5 years from now if you can convince other pakistanis to seek prosperity and not hate against india.

1) Unfortunately, Pakistan – Iran and Libya all have to view every event that occurs, every discovery made, and every decision they make, through a 1400 year old lens. This would not be that serious an issue if not for the fact that many use that lens to support indiscriminate use of self-murder and the murder of men women and children pretty much without any regard whatsoever. Simply put – sane people everywhere – Muslims included – do not trust nuclear weapons in hands which might let them fall to people you are clearly insane and to whom mass murder is merely another day at the office.

When you add corruption to this mix, you see Pakistan’s top nuclear scientist giving nuclear secrets to any number of insane regimes, including North Korea – surely the most despicable regime on earth. Now you see why many are wary of Pakistan’s nukes.

2) As you may be aware there had been a “cold war” between capitalism and communism going on since the end of WW2. As the Russians and Chinese were delighted to see American bogged down – and losing – in Vietnam the Americans were delighted to see Russia getting bogged down in Afghanistan. Accordingly, the Americans armed anyone who was fighting the Russians. Including a little group of mostly Saudis led by a certain Mr Osama Bin Laden.

Obviously, it was in Pakistan’s interest to support those fighting against the Russians as well. It was not in – is not in – Pakistan’s interest to have Afghanistan occupied PERMANENTLY by any hostile force – so naturally they also supported the opposition to the Russians.

3) As you know on 9/11 America was attacked. America is powerful – very powerful – and they DEMANDED that the Taliban turn over those that planned the attack. The Taliban would not. They had fought with these people, died with these people and refused to turn them over. Personally, I understand the Taliban not turning them over to the Americans – under the circumstances I think most people can.

However, America wanted revenge and being the worlds sole super power – it took it. The result – as you say was 100,000 Afghan militants and 20,000 Arab militants armed to the teeth and generally very pissed off.

It was at this point that President Bush betrayed Afghanistan, Pakistan and America by invading Iraq. President Bush left Afghanistan with not enough support to allow the country to rebuild and too little to even stop the Taliban from crawling back from their caves. As a direct result, Pakistan was left in a delicate spot without the resources to adequately defend itself and definitely without the resources to take on the Islamists.

In “hindsight” Pakistan could not have done realistically anything much other than it did – which was to slowly swing in the air like a spider’s web unconnected at one corner – until America returned their attention to the “AfPak Problem.” Fortunately, they have now done so. There is at least some hope.

4) As to Kashmir it is what it is – at this point in time it’s a problem for India and Pakistan – period. The only RATIONAL way forward is simply for both sides to accept the status quo and get on on with life.

As to 1962 – the “Johnson Line” the “1899 Line”, a war between China and India, interference also by Russia, America and England at the same time – that was WAY MORE COMPLICATED than is the situation today.

Today, two countries can solve Kashmir with the stroke of a pen. Back then there were way too many parties – with way too many agendas for a solution to be expected.

Conclusion: Your four points raise issues and problems that explain why solving Pakistan’s problems has been so difficult to resolve.

However, an end to corruption, an end to looking at the future through the wrong end of the telescope and an end to not accepting the reality on the ground would all go a long way to Pakistan meeting it’s challenges and going forward with the rest of the world as we explore the incomprehensible vastness of space and the incomprehensible smallness of the quantum.

There is NO sane reason Pakistan can’t join India and China in gaining material wealth and a healthier, safer future for your children and grand children – just stop rehashing the reasons for past failure and MEET the challenges you have today with intelligence and good will.

2. Would you please mind to mention at least in passing that these militant groups were supported by the US as well (everybody knows Pakistan military supported them).

3. And also would you mind to advice what possibly Pakistan should have done in hindsight with 100,000 of Afghan militants and 20,000 of Arab militants armed to teeth and left to their own devices after 1990.

4. if were not it for the bad governance of Pakistani leaders bucked by the US, Pakistan would have long solved Kashmir not the least in 1962.

cheers!

I posit a second question: How do we encourage mature discourse in a nation saturated with the most outrageous conspiracy theories?

It is clear that sober discussion of geopolitical reality is vital not only to our development, but to our security. But it’s so much easier to believe the Illuminati fantasies of people like Ahmed Quraishi. This is the reality in which we find ourselves: How do we encourage people to change?

Too many Pakistanis buy into a sort of “Mythic Pakistan” the real Pakistan has many more challenges and way fewer friends. However, the road forward begins – as you suggest – with dialogue – remember dialogue includes LISTENING as well as talking.

Respect each other – and the world will then respect you. I believe Pakistan (and Turkey) have within them the where with all to show the world that constructive, respectful, Islamic society does not have to be mired in the past but can build prosperity and peace for the men women and children of their countries while embracing the future and settling their disputes with democracy and discussion instead of bomb vests and blind hatred.

Pakistan, and Islam, is only LIMITED by those who remain convinced that nothing constructive has occurred in the last 1,400 odd years. Will Pakistan join the world as we go forth and colonize the Solar System or watch – unmoved and uncomprehending? The choice is yours. The world and the Universe await your reply.