It's time Pak gets over India-centric obsession, adopts 'more sensible' policies: Editorial

Islamabad, August 16(ANI): The Pakistan Government must pay attention to former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's recent advice to move beyond its India-centric obsession and adopt a "more sensible set of policies" for a better future, an editorial in a Pakistani newspaper has said.

At a seminar on August 13, Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) chief Sharif made some rather interesting remarks vis-a-vis peace between India and Pakistan, the Daily Times editorial noted.

"We should have an economic race instead of getting into an arms race. It is a tragedy that Pakistan's social sectors, health services, education, economic development, infrastructure have all suffered because our focus was to build up our defence sector," said Sharif.

The PML-N chief's views on peace with India are not new, the editorial said, adding that normalisation between India and Pakistan seemed to be making progress on his last watch, but the 'Kargil misadventure' sabotaged the effort.

"It seems that Mr Sharif has had time to reflect and introspect on many things during his time in exile, including his decision to openly make Pakistan a nuclear state. His regret at conducting those tests was visible in his remarks," the editorial pointed out.

Sharif had said he was 'thankful' to India for "playing a role in making us an atomic power; it would have been better had that not been done."

The editorial stated that the logic of history and geography suggests that Pak-India disputes notwithstanding, there is no escape from civilised relations, economic exchange and dialogue.

Despite the army's continued dominance, it seems as if change is in the air in the light of its self-inflicted difficulties vis-a-vis Afghanistan, India and the international community, it said.

"It is hoped that those in power pay attention to what Mr Sharif uttered. It is time for Pakistan to get over its India-centric obsession and move towards a more sensible set of policies in conformity with today's world in the hope of a better future," it added. (ANI)