Pakistanis should see reason

It is funny as well as sad to hear that the people of Pakistan consider India as a major threat than the dreaded terror groups like Taliban and the Al Qaeda. Hundreds of innocent people are becoming prey to torrorism in Pakistan unleashed by inhuman activitites of these terrorist groups like Taliban and Al Qaeda and that is not a major concern for the people there. Instead, they are concerned about an out-and-out peace-loving nation like India. The entire world is witness to the fact that India is a dyed-in-the-wool peace-lover and people here lead a peaceful life. They carry the message of Mahatma Gandhi--non-violence and peace- always in their mind.

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Can there be a more irony than this that people of Pakistan consider India as a threat. It clearly shows the kind of people living in that country and their attitude towards life. It shows the kind of education and culture prevalent in Pakistan. There is urgent need that the Pakistanis should try to understand the Indian culture and history well.

In spite of enormous provocations from across the country, India has been keeping its composure as India knows well that an armed conflict is not good for both the country. It will only drag both of them back to decades in development. I think it is time for the people of Pakistan to abandon to view India as a threat and consider it as a friendly nation. There lies the future of the continent.

According to an opinoin poll conducted by Pew Research Centre carried out in Pakistan, even though terror groups continue to strike in their country, a majority of Pakistanis still consider India as a major threat, view America as an enemy and are far less concerned about the Taliban and the Al Qaeda.

When asked which is the greatest threat to their country -- India, the Taliban or Al Qaeda -- slightly more than half of Pakistanis (53 per cent) choose India, compared with 23 per cent for the Taliban and just 3 per cent for the Al Qaeda, as per the opinion poll.

However, despite the deep-seated tensions between India and Pakistan, most Pakistanis want better ties with India. Roughly 72 per cent said it is important for relations with India to improve and about 75 per cent support increased trade with India and further talks between the two rivals.

In spite of pumping in billions of dollars in economic and military aid, the United States' image in Pakistan was at its lowest ever among the 22 nations included in the poll. Fifty-nine per cent of the respondents described America as an enemy and only eight per cent trusted President Barack Obama

Pakistanis perceived little threat from the Taliban and the Al Qaeda and only 25 per cent of the people said it would be bad for Islamabad if Taliban takes over Afghanistan again. While 18 per cent said it would be good for Pakistan, 57 per cent were not concerned.

The sooner the Pakistanis sea reason, it is better for the development of the continent.