THE nation has attached great expectations to the recent visit of Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif to New Delhi and everyone hopes that his participation in the oath-taking ceremony of Narendra Modi … will help resolve the long-standing issues of the region. The leaders of different political parties and civil society organisations have described the visit as a very useful and timely decision. … On the other hand, the Indian media has also appreciated Pakistan for accepting the invitation. … But the long-standing Kashmir dispute is a bone of contention which has kept [India and Pakistan] away from each other. The Indian troops are committing atrocities against the innocent people of [India-]held Kashmir. …

In civilised society no one has the right to deprive anyone of the right of independence, or to suppress the voice of anyone without any logic but people in held Kashmir are facing many problems. … The Kashmiri families are divided due to the dispute and face severe problems [when it comes to] meeting on important days to share happiness and grief. The prime minister’s visit will help build confidence between the two neighbouring states to come close and initiate negotiations on vital issues. Negotiations are in the best interests of both countries....

The tense situation between them has also caused huge loss of life and finance to both states, resulting in their spending the maximum amount of their annual budgets on defence.... Now when the heads of the two governments have started interaction they are duty-bound to focus on the development of their own countries and resolve the issues.... — (May 28) n

Selected and translated by Ali Hazrat Bacha.

Published in Dawn, May 30th, 2014