APROPOS the letters titled ‘Kashmir and Islamic world’ and ‘Arab-India ties’ (Sept 1). The writers say how the UAE and Saudi Arabia are closely linked with India through trade and commerce. As such, one should understand their inability to stand against India. However, we must not forget that in our hour of desperate need, these two states bailed us out.

These two countries, for that matter most Middle-Eastern states, provide a comfortable standard of living to their citizens and expatriates. Compared to them, our rulers, especially of the past three decades, cut a sorry figure. The masses should share the blame for bringing them to power repeatedly, despite their bad governance. Thus we do not qualify to advise Middle-Eastern rulers on how to manage their affairs.

The fact that religion does not provide a strong enough bond was amply displayed back in 1971, with the separation of our eastern wing, and in a shameful manner. As for Western countries they will not really care to get embroiled in an issue that doesn’t concern them.

Pakistan must adopt a realistic approach, seek a better deal for Muslims in occupied Kashmir, and safeguard our rivers flowing from Kashmir.

Hashmi
Karachi

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INDIA abrogated article 370 of its constitution that deprived the people of occupied Kashmir of their basic rights. Pakistan’s response to this aggressive action can best be described as timid.

While New Delhi has annexed a Muslim territory and enslaved its people. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has asked the people to show solidarity with the Kashmiri people by holding demonstrations.

The stark reality is that Pakistan could not gather solid international support from the United States and the Western world or for that matter, even Muslim countries. Many Muslim countries preferred silence rather than stand with Kashmiri people.

This issue demands practical steps rather than taking half an hour from your hectic schedule to stand with Kashmiri people on every Friday. Sane diplomatic efforts are needed and Imran Khan has to review his foreign policy to build lobbies in the US and the Muslim world.

Javed Mohsin Syed
Hyderabad

Published in Dawn, September 13th, 2019