Sir: This is in reference to Comment: “Pakistan stands isolated in South Asia” by Sunil Dutta (Daily Times, April 21, 2012). Sunil Dutta is absolutely right when he says, “However, Pakistan military’s obsession with India as its archenemy, reliance on terrorism as an instrument of foreign policy, radicalisation of its population, and a complete disregard for development of democracy and infrastructure have wrecked Pakistan’s economy, polity, and reputation. Today, the world sees Pakistan as a rogue nation on the path to becoming a failed state.” While India booms economically and is on the way to become the world’s fourth largest economy after the US, China and Japan, Pakistan is whisking towards failure. Sectarian violence has taken an ugly turn, putting lives of innocent people in danger. Amidst all this, the Pakistan army is reportedly busy nurturing the Afghan Taliban and various terrorist groups to keep its proxy war with India alive and kicking. It is time for the Pakistan army to understand that in spite of all the acrimony that India harbours against Pakistan, the latter is in no mood to rejoin this part of the world. Now that the US is winding down its war in Afghanistan, the opportunity stands for Pakistan to join hands with India and together, make the region peaceful. The game called strategic depth needs a showdown. The Taliban should be reigned in. The tribal areas should be cleared of war tragedies, making it a normal functioning part of Pakistan. Since we are on the road of economic cooperation with India, the so-called war theatre could bring things to a halt before they actually begin. Perhaps for a change, we can follow the dictum of Gandhi to mend our ways: “Those who hate others end up hating themselves.” MAHMOOD ELAHI Ottawa, Canada