WHILE Pakistan sought regional cooperation with India, the latter test-fired the Prithvi-II. It is capable of hitting its target as far as 350 km.

Was it really necessary to conduct a missile test at the time when our leadership is seeking reconciliation with India? It is this perpetual ironic attitude of India that blurs the hopes of good Pak-Indian ties.

Islamabad needs to set its future political outlay carefully as the Bhartiya Janata Party leader Narendra Modhi is expected to win the prime ministership in the coming Indian Lok Sabha elections.

South Asia is on the cusp of change for its cycle of new governments will close at the mid of this year. The Pandora’s box of Afghanistan will also open soon once the US pulls out its troops from the region at the end of this year.

In such turn of events, both Pakistan and India should refrain from exercising their military might and instead should strive for regional stability and economic cooperation.

Engr. Wajahat Afridi
Peshawar