CHOICE BEFORE PAKISTAN

broadly, the Muslim community would suffer any loss. Even if Kashmir remains separate from Pakistan, it will still be a Muslim-majority area. So, where is the real harm in that? Moreover, history shows that Muslims in the Indian subcontinent who stayed in India have progressed much more than those in Pakistan or Bangladesh. In fact, today, the wealthiest Muslim businessman—not only in the Indian subcontinent but in the entire Muslim world—is an Indian Muslim living in Bangalore. Another point is that making peace with India is a significant challenge for Pakistan. It involves ending a long-standing conflict with a powerful neighbor. Resolving a dispute with one’s neighbor paves the way for various kinds of progress. The example of modern Japan clearly shows how ending a rivalry can lead to development. Before World War II, Japan and the United States were enemies. After the war, Japan fully reconciled with the U.S. As a result, Japan became an economic superpower on the global stage. Pakistan’s current policy is harming the reputation of Islam. Due to this policy, Pakistan has used hostility toward India as a way to foster national unity. The result of this misguided approach is that the people of Pakistan— including those from what was once East Pakistan—were unable to unite under the banner of Islam, but they did become entirely united in their hostility toward India. This example has given the world reason to believe that Islam does not have the power to bring Muslims together. This