Given the sincerity of purpose, one would unhesitatingly say that there is a lot of truth in what Prime Minister Gilani said while inaugurating the three-day International Seerat Conference at Islamabad on Monday about the prospects of mutually beneficial outcome of economic cooperation among the Muslim nations of the world. This is possible despite the fact that these countries are at varying stages of development, and none can boast of being among those advanced countries, which can fully meet their modern-day requirements of goods of scientific and technological nature to be able to register quicker growth and progress. Yet, there are aspects of the economy that are complementary, and in those fields at least the relatively less developed countries can make use of the expertise and goods that the better placed Muslim nations can offer. But, unfortunately, the general tendency is to look towards the West to acquire them, rather than give preference to Muslim lands who are producing goods of the same quality and which are available, most likely, at lesser prices. There is little doubt that a great deal of scope for the exchange of goods and services does exist. And among some countries that is being done to quite an extent in the context of services. That is in evidence in the labour force, largely composed of Muslims, hired by the Gulf states. However, there is dire need for a conscious effort to harness the resources as well as the potential found among Muslims. The key to mutually beneficial cooperation, perhaps, lies in what Mr Gilani believes to be its starting point an atmosphere of trust and unity among the Muslim nations. With these prerequisites available, there would be a strong urge to cooperate with fellow Muslim countries in every conceivable sphere of life. For instance, rich countries, with finances to spare, can come forward to invest in infrastructure and vital industries of those that lack the required wherewithal but have the other prerequisites like trained and educated manpower. There can be several other avenues of cooperation. A most important factor that should constitute a veritable compulsion of mutual cooperation among the Muslim nations is the coordinated campaign of the West, led by the US, to malign them and at the same time keep them divided. Any country defiant of the West but having the potential to develop is particularly targeted. Iraq was attacked on flimsy grounds and destroyed and later the Americans contrived to put its two Sunni and Shia communities at loggerheads. Afghanistan, though not so developed, is driven further back in history. Every efforts is being made to asphyxiate Iran, and no effort is being spared to destabilise Pakistan. There can be no greater provocation to the Muslim nations than this scenario to forge unity and develop mutual trust, opening the way for all sorts of cooperation.