Stephen Cohen

New Delhi : Leading South Asia analyst Stephen Philip Cohen has no doubts that only major political reforms can save Pakistan from itself.

Political reforms and a rediscovery of Jinnah’s idea of a Pakistan that is “secular, democratic and friendly with India” are the best case scenario for Pakistan in the 21st century, said Cohen at the India International Centre here on Jan. 19.

Cohen was in India to release ‘The Idea of Pakistan’ –– a book that maps out Pakistan’s evolution from its ideological moorings to a military-dominated state. Any other course would lead to damnation. “A nuclear Pakistan turning Islamist would be catastrophic for both the U.S. and India,” warned Cohen.

“Both India and the U.S. have stakes in a sensible, moderate Pakistan,” said Cohen, senior fellow in the foreign policy studies program at the Brookings Institution, Washington D,C.

Cohen also made it a point to speak about positive changes during the tenure of Gen Pervez Musharraf. His is a middle path: “In understanding Pakistan, we have to take a balanced middle path, between the continual pessimism about Pakistan being a failed state and boundless optimism about its future.”

For one, Gen Pervez Musharraf is slowly discovering the virtues of Jinnah’s Pakistan. “Gen. Musharraf is finally saying things he only spoke privately five years ago. The vision of the Pakistan establishment has evolved,” Cohen said.

Typical of his trademark no-nonsense approach, he took a critical view of Kashmir obsession in both countries that has become a roadblock to achieving peace. “Both countries have to move beyond Kashmir to arrive at a real understanding,” he said. “The war of words is not the answer. Don’t look at resolving Kashmir or the LOC in strictly legal, territorial or human rights terms. These approaches haven’t worked.

“What is required is audacious statesmanship. “The times need a Jawaharlal Nehru,” he said. “The perception of justice being done is very crucial to a durable peace. Both the leaderships should be able to go home and tell their respective countries that there is a victory,” explained Cohen.

In the end, only a responsible civilian leadership in Pakistan can transform it. Reforming the education system will surely help. “The school system in Pakistan has badly fallen into the hands of Islamists. Musharraf has a plan to reform madrassas. The U.S. should quadruple aid to Pakistan to be used for education,” suggested Cohen. He, however, thought that the prospects of democracy in Pakistan are none too bright. “The army continues to be part of the problem. This makes the prospects of democracy not very bright,” he said.