I think South Asia has been changing its face since General Pervez Musharraf overthrew Nawaz Sharif’s government. First, General Musharraf has denounced extremism in all its forms and manifestations and personally taken strong steps to eliminate extremists from Pakistan so that his fellowmen can breathe a sigh of relief and work for the economic development of their country. It is also true that Bangladesh, which became a separate country in 1971, is economically better than Pakistan.

Secondly, Musharraf has also realised that waging a war against New Delhi and supporting the Kashmiri cause will ultimately lead Pakistan to defeat, though he has defended that "Kashmir runs in Pakistani blood" in his Saturday’s speech. His is nothing but mere fanaticism. Naturally, successive regimes in Pakistan supported extremist elements that affected economic activity, snatched the bread and butter of the poor and bred poverty. Economic development precedes political ideology in today’s context.

President Pervez Musharraf has taken the right step in eliminating the extremists. I believe such measures will not only place Pakistan onto the right track, but will also help get due respect of the international community. In 1947, the subcontinent was divided not on the basis of religions, though a section of Pakistanis and Indians continue to defend some outrageous religious "sentiments." Once we believe in such dogma, SAARC will remain meaningless. And SAARC is not the right platform to resolve the Kashmir problem.