Aziz Memon urges Pakistan, India to shun differences for moving forward

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)

Aziz Memon, a successful entrepreneur and an acclaimed social worker, has urged the governments of Pakistan and India to move forward in the larger interest of the peoples of the two neighbouring countries who share common problems like floods and poverty. 

He made these observations during his presidential address in a recent meeting of the English Speaking Union of Pakistan (ESUP) at Karachi in which the Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Dr T C A Raghavan, was the guest of honour. 

“We can select our friends but we have to live with our neighbours. Politics divides us but geography binds us,” the ESUP President remarked as the topic of discussion was the current trends in Pakistan-India relations. 

“There are some positive signs. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif attended the installation ceremony of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has recently offered to support in flood relief operations. The secretary level talks should resume to move forward,” Aziz Memon suggested. 

“Let the political leaders take the cue from Rotarians who have been working together in different fields for the past 109 years. Heart surgeries of 200 children born with conginal heart disease are being done in India every year through the sponsorship of Rotary. Liver transplant and cancer treatment are also being done at 300-bed Dr Shetty Cardiac Hospital. A project of Rotary Friendship Hospital in Karachi is also there in the offing,” Aziz Menon, who was the Governor of Rotary International’s District 3270, covering Pakistan and India, pointed out. 

“The eradication of polio presents a huge challenge in Pakistan. We learn from the Indian experience who have been successful in making their country polio-free after strenous efforts. Literacy is another area where the Rotarians of the two neighbouring countries are working together,” he added. 

“Trade can be immensely helpful in building bridges. Let’s work together for achieving our mutual objective of bringing about positive changes in the lives of our people. Let’s do it now,” Aziz Memon stressed.