Belgium Lesson For Pakistan

on Monday, May 13, 2013

Pakistan is not the sole country facing sectarian aggression nowadays. Pakistan can definitely overcome all this in the upcoming years including the large population and the widespread poverty along with several non-state performers. Pakistan may take many years to combat the menace, but that does not mean that it cannot take the challenge head-on. Belgium can be taken as an example which has solved its problem promisingly. Belgium – is a small yet beautifully organized country in the center of Europe comprising of German, French, and Dutch population – the country took more than four hundred years to grasp the lesson of nonviolent coexistence.

With a small population of just 11 million and a small land accumulation, Belgium is as much as 26 times smaller than what Pakistan is. Pakistan has a bigger land area with greater potential than Europe. The deputy head of mission of Pakistan, Dr Stephane Mund, freshly gave a speech at the university of Karachi on the topic of Area Study center for Europe. In his speech, he said that the country in which he lives has not only won on sectarian fights that longed between Protestant and Catholics in the 16th and 17th century, but it also combated language and ethnic issues. He said that in spite of ethnic and language disputes that existed, his country still listened to the opponents. He further added that if one does not agree with the opponent, it does not mean that killing is the only solution left. One should compromise and lead a life in a peaceful manner.

Peace is the foremost thing for a country to flourish. No matter how rich the country is, if it lacks peace then all its resources are useless. Great legends have also recognized the importance of unity and peace. Belgium was like a ground of battle for Europeans for centuries. There was no protection at all from any of its neighborhood countries. For hundreds of years, almost all the armies belonging to big countries of Europe have fought for resources and power. Since it was a small country than the others, it always depended on functional trade with its near countries –it significantly formed a part of its economic growth.

Now, it is in the list of the top most commercial nations of the entire world with the majority of its trade happening with its neighbor states. It is duly flourishing and becoming wealthier than other countries. It is a role model for the whole world. Pakistan should definitely take some inspiration from Europe: one should carry on trade no matter how much differences one has with the neighboring countries. There is no doubt about the fact that Europe took hundreds of years to combat sectarian aggression. But it finally emerged as a country of peace and non-violence. In spite of the gory past of Western Europe, what is worth witnessing is that when it was decided to end wars after the world war II, no battles were seen for sixty years uptill now.



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