#KnowThyNeighbour : Tête-à-tête with Aamir Mughal

Hello Aamir,

First of all, thank you for taking time out and sharing with us your experience across the border. Our readers will be delightful to know more about their neighbours.

1. Do tell us something about yourself for the benefit of our audience.

Aamir: I am a Retired Government Servant (served in Intelligence Bureau Government of Pakistan for 11 years and honorably resigned 16 years ago) and I read, read and read besides listening to Music and Watching movies.

2. Tell us about your connections with India and what took you there?

Aamir: After the Tragedy of 9/11 , in the year 2002 some Indian Expatriates Ms. Rashmi Sinha and Dr Vinay Kumar mailed me to join their wonderful website www.DialogueNow.org (now no more) developed to restore peace between India and Pakistan and establish people to people contact of both the countries but I have never been to India. I wish and pray that before I die I am able to visit Rajasthan a state in India that I love, so as to explore its culture, people, music, dress as it is so much like Sindh (from where I belong to) . My maternal side is from Daryabad, Allahabad, UP and half of my maternal relatives still live there. I did participate in several live video talk shows on India Post Live on several issues, courtesy Subha Roy in Delhi.

3. What are some of your fondest memories or any specific event that you recall often while you were traveling across the border? Have you ever been worried about the travel?

Aamir: Unfortunately as I’ve never visited I can’t answer this one!

4. Did your travel break any stereotypes about the other country? Please share your story.

Aamir: N/A but there are lots of stereotyping on both sides of the border which I witness on Social Media, and idiotic generalization on Anarchic News Channels and Newspapers on both sides.

5. What are the commonalities that you have observed between both the nations?

Aamir: Almost the same , no difference at all same, fingerpointing , stereotyping and all that but there is a hope provided People to People contact by leaving the dispute to the states and interact socially without inserting religion, caste, politics and disputes.

6. In this day of modern technology, do you think social media has played an important role in bridging the gap?

Aamir: It has already provided for some positive interactions with the right kind of people interacting with each other instead of the Fasicts on both sides which usually happens after every crisis.

7. What are your thoughts on the existing talks between the two countries? How do you suggest we ease the existing tensions between the two nations?

Aamir: Remove the Visa Restriction, More People to people contact, agree to diasgree peacefully and there you go.

8. What is your vision for India and Pakistan in the year 2025?

Aamir: If they didn't blow each other into oblivion then I see a peaceful South Asia. There can be no better friends if they came together!

9. Finally what is your message for our readers, how can they know their neighbour better?

Aamir: Before raising false alarm both the sides should approach the proper person to know actually what happens , avoid jumping the gun.

Thank you for your precious time, Aamir!