The aam aadmi across the border, has similar problems as ours—unemployment, price hike, corruption at all levels however the difference is made by the hardliners dominating the official line of thought and the Zia-isation of the army. This is aided by the fund flow from the Wahhabi kingdom. The hardliners have taken charge of the powers that be- politicians require them for survival; army needs them as pressure point for the US and the West; media is happy following their diktats. Over a period of time the hardliners’ domination and zia-isation of the army has changed the thought process of the nation. It would be horrendous for some of our citizens to read their version of Mughal history or the results of the wars they fought against India. This has led to the thought process where the basic theme is US, Israel and India aim to neutralise Pak nuclear assets; weaken the country and destroy the Islamic way of life. Everything flows from this basic core belief and any other opinion is crushed ruthlessly.

Notwithstanding the core belief, the citizen loves lots about others entertainment, cricket and of course financial empowerment, which implies availability of cheap items of daily routine; medicare and education. In fact, sustained facilitation which helps empowerment with dignity would create a doubt over the core belief. Here lies his vulnerability and our opportunity. The present strategy of arming the forces is placing them into the fear psychosis, reinforcing the belief that the trio aims to destroy the nation.

Akin to any nation, the employees are well fed and looked after, it’s the common man who is suffering while trying to live life with dignity. Frustration with the system, economic deprivation and helplessness forces him much against his wishes towards hardliners and madrassas. This is the root cause of ever increasing number of suicide bombers, militants and brutalisation of the society. The hardliners exploit this mass of deprived human beings for continuing their designs leading to massive fund flow from their patrons abroad. Thus facilitating and positively reinforcing the negative mindset environments exist in abundance keeping the unending cycle flourishing.

Thus success strategy must aim at changing the mind set by offering economic facilitation to many without challenging their way of life. Since jobs are in great demand for our own people, it leaves a reasonably workable option of importing / setting industries there as the labour is reasonably cheap and natural resources in plenty. There is a visible presence of job creators and production of labour intensive goods for export to India. No strings, over a period of time the soft power will de-toxicate the mind. It’s a win-win situation but will be hotly contested by the vested lobbies on both sides. May the sanguine wisdom prevail!