PEACE AND DEMOCRACY IN PAKISTAN

PEACE AND DEMOCRACY IN PAKISTAN

Chetan Bhagat argues very convincingly about the need for peace, love and democracy in Pakistan in his article “Let’s not confuse peace with love” [Feb 17-The underage optimist].He is right when he argues that we should seek peace with Pakistan not because it is morally right to do so but also because it is practical and besides it makes economic sense. But one should not overlook the fact that to make friendly handshake two hands are required. With only one hand you can at the most extend your hand but not complete the hand shake. The authors concern for a genuine democracy in Pakistan is really understandable. However the history of the world clearly shows that the countries have changed their course of path to democracy only when path changing leaders have emerged within their countries. Someone like Michael Gorbachev who changed the course of history of Russia has to emerge within Pakistan to overcome the might of the military in that country and steer Pakistan to a genuine democracy. Till then “Aman ki asha” can at most be an ‘asha’ or hope only