Pak teaches children national identity is to hate someone': Hina Rabbani Khar

Islamabad: Pakistan's former foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar claimed that the country has taught its children that 'our national identity is to hate someone'.

According to Khar, this mentality has been the main reason for Pakistan's hostility with India and Afghanistan.

Khar has served as the youngest and the first woman foreign minister of Pakistan from 2011 to 2013.

She also alleged that the former government had tried to strengthen relations with India by normalising trade ties as well as relaxing the visa rules.

During an interview with the Geo news, Khar said, “In 60 years, we have taught our children that our national identity is to hate someone, and we are doing it with those who are physically the nearest. Hostile with India and now hostile with Afghanistan.”

Speaking on the Kashmir issue, Khar said that the two countries should continue talking on the issue, only then will they reach to a conclusion. “I believe that Pakistan cannot conquer Kashmir through war and if we cannot do that, the option we are left with is dialogue, and dialogue can only proceed with a partner with which we have normal relations and a certain level of mutual trust,” Khar was quoted as saying.

Offering her opinion on Indo-US ties, Khar stated that the main reason behind India and US relations is because of the power of people and the democracy. If Pakistan wants to maintain good relations with US and other developed countries just like India, it should compete on these grounds.