Pakistan teaches its children that 'national identity is to hate someone', says Hina Rabbani Khar

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Delhi: Former Pakistan foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar, who was foreign minister during 2011-13, has said that Pakistani children had been taught for six decades that “our national identity is to hate someone”.

In an interview to an interview to Geo News, she also said that Pakistan People’s Party government had tried its best to improve ties with India by relaxing visa rules and normalising trade ties.

On the issue of J&K she was quoted as saying, “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."

At the same time, she pointed out, "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."

Further, on Indo-US relations, she said, "Is the US moving towards India because India is a nuclear state, or because it is a military power. No, it is people power and their democratic traditions, if we want to compete, let’s compete on these grounds."