Logic and sensibility are not the proprietary of anyone. Sometimes you hear sensible things from those who are least expected to say anything logical. Recognition of Israel as a legitimate state has always been a tricky idea to float in a medievalist society like Pakistan. Still from time to time there have been voices, rising from the enlightened individuals of the society, proposing to accept the reality instead of living in a state of senseless denial.

Recently, I came across the clipping of a letter to the editor, written by me, which was published in The News International of June 16, 1997. In the letter I applauded the courage and the political vision shown by a religious cleric, Maulana Muhammad Ajmal Qadri, who recommended to the Government of Pakistan to recognize the state of Israel, having a realistic outlook. Since in the face of a visible shift in the mindset of Pakistani government, different proposals in favor as well as against the recognition of Israel, are once again resurfacing I consider it relevant to remind folks that even almost three decades back there were forward looking quarters among Pakistanis who dared to present their liberal point of view despite being surrounded by conservative and orthodox opponents of the idea. I am posting the old clipping here to go through and applaud the rebels of their times.