Many quarters, including certain elements in the government, want to give India a most favoured nation (MFN) status.

Why and on what grounds is not clear, especially in the present circumstances when the two countries have a strained relationship.

Generally, people in Pakistan may not be in favour of giving India the MFN status. The skirmishes on the LoC are increasing day by day and tension is rising between the two countries.

If such a rating should be given, then China, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey and even Bangla Desh stand a better chance of being given accepted as our good friends.

Considering the fact that we share a past history, social bonds and culture, India ought to be our closest friend, but the attitude of the rulers and politicians has created a wide gap between the two countries, hindering the friendly ties between us.

Many years have passed in trying to make several efforts to sustain a good relationship between the two countries, but in vain and we still remain miles apart in sustaining good ties.

Friendship being a remote milestone, there is no immediate hope of improvement in the relationship between the two nations.

A lot can be written on the subject, but the bottomline is that we can not, should not and must not give India the most favoured nation status.

SYED ABRAR HUSSAINI
Karachi