CHOICE BEFORE PAKISTAN

development. For the past 55 years, Pakistani politics has focused on one issue: trying to change the political status quo in Kashmir. It has now become clear that this policy is harmful. It has never produced positive results—neither in the past nor now—and it won’t in the future either. Making such a bold and transformative decision is certainly difficult. But if Pakistan takes this step with courage, the results could be extraordinary. The undeclared state of war with India would come to an end, replaced by peace. The negative attitude of the Pakistani people would shift to a positive one. Trade between the two nations would commence. There would be exchanges in education, culture, and tourism. Sharing literature would help reduce misunderstandings between the two countries, and a sense of brotherhood would develop. India and Pakistan share a largely common language and culture. Yet, they remain distant neighbors. Afterwards, they would become close neighbors—as they truly are. The fact is, whenever a person or a nation wants to take action, there is always an existing situation shaped by earlier events. There are two ways of thinking in such circumstances. One is to first try to change the current situation so that action becomes possible. The other is to accept the current situation as it is and move forward in other possible areas. This second way, which I call positive status quoism, is the wiser path. Every reasonable person agrees that when the ideal isn’t