A tale of two accidental nations

Adjunct Prof Sajjad Ashraf from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at NUS and former High Commissioner of Pakistan to Singapore discussed the contrast between Singapore and Pakistan despite the many similarities. He opined that Pakistan, instead of taking advantage of its location at the crossroads of three sub-regions of Asia, has remained mired in conflict, leading to economic and social degradation. Singapore, however, through deft policy choices has turned inadequacies of size, location and resources into advantages. He added that Singapore's National Pledge to build a society based on justice 'regardless of race language or religion' is the bedrock of its excellence at SG50.

• The Straits Times, 3 August 2015, Opinion, pA21