The daily Mail strikes again.

[scrumpy]

Thank you for your replies.

I think we should close this thread.

 

[sparklingway]

I would like to respectfully disagree with you on this one. Among all the countries in the world, Indians will find Pakistanis as being culturally most similar to them and vice versa. Ofcourse there are differences but the similarities overwhelmingly outnumber the differences. There are countless anecdotes recounted within this very same forum giving examples of how well Pakistanis and Indians get along.

I have seen many Pakistanis trying to highlight the differences between the two countries while ignoring the obvious similarities. Probably, the history of partition has given rise to insecurities which drive a desire among Pakistanis to differentiate themselves from other Indians. Indians are also guilty of this but for reasons related to more recent happenings. However on the whole, I find Indians are more inclined to accept that we are similar than other Pakistanis. Maybe this lopsided view is because I don't have much contact with Pakistanis other then this forum. I do know a few Pakistanis here in the UK and most of them are of the same view about our cultural similarities.

It has been over 60 years since partition. Its time for Pakistanis to rise above these insecurities and be self confident of their own identity. Pakistan is not going to go away. I hope Pakistanis themselves realise this sooner rather then later.

The desire to seek differences is what makes me laugh since that is merely a negative definition.

Uniqueness and differences are self evident, any attempt to establish a negative definition brings back the argument to what Ishtiaq Ahmed argues i.e. inclusive vs exclusive nationalism.

Such arguments only emanate from insecure and intellectually handicapped people whose jingoistic ramblings are merely their way of becoming populist.

You are born into a nation by the accident of your birth. Being proud of your nation and people is one thing, hating others and seeking to establish demarcations is downright hopeless and moronic.