Once again---the dreaming, the hoping

Don't know about others, but I feel these could be the times history changes its course in Pakistan, and becaue of it, the rest of the world.

While Zardari and Nawaz Sharif hobnob in Islamabad, Asfandyar Khan & Afrasiyab Khan in NWFP should reflect on this moment of rebirth for Pukhtoons (I am using this term loosly for people of all ethnicities, all religions, and all political persuasions, since anyone from the land of my ancestors is identified as Pukhtoon, and I sincerely believe they are). These two and their team can either cause a stillbirth, cause a botched delivery, or cradle in their arms, the dream that can be translated into reality.

Never before have the people of this blood-soaked land expressed themseleves in such clear, emphatic manner. Asfandyar Wali and Afrasiyab Khattak cannot let these voters down who came out aginst all odds and spoke in such a resounding voice, matchless in history of this province. Once naive, now war-weary, our people have undoubtedly paid a huge price for their blind trust in a misdirected, misguided Jehad. We ravaged our own land & spilled our own blood for the bully in the allay who is himself bewildered at the outcome of these elections.

Enough of our colossal stupidities! Now is the time to look back and re-interpret what Wali Khan had said all along: this is no Jihad; this is a war between two superpowers in which Muslims shall be the ultimate losers. His prophecies came true, but so can his dreams for this land, this nation
History may not provide such an opportunity to ANP again, if they do not prove themselves true Pukhtoons, true Muslims, true Pakistanis. Now is the moment to dispel the doubts cast over the party's character forever, and now is the moment to show that Bacha Khan's legacy of non-violance, and Wali Khan's vision of Pukhtoon Renaissance did have meaning & substance.

To Asfandyar and Afrasiyab and their loyal followers falls the sisphyan burden of reconstruction on both sides of the Durand line. Our rise is their rise and our blood can rejuvinate our sisters and brothers on the other side. We have wronged them and betrayed them for a very long time. Now is the time to pay their debt by facilitating their efforts to create a peaceful Afghanistan by consolidating our own strengths in Pakistan, and then by lending strong support to a legitimate democratic center, and by saying "no more" to all native and non-native forces of darkness and destruction.

I am sure Gen Kiyani and the Pakistani Army will rise to the occasion as the signs are all positive so far. If all our stars are aligned, and we show the will and the determination, there is no reason why this country cannot, on its own, put an end to the hegemonic agendas of the war-mongers of the world.

God-speed, Asfandyar. May God help you and give you the wisdom of your ancestors. Ameen!

Our Moment of Joy

Celebrate people! This much awaited moment of triumph for DEMOCRACY & the people of Pakistan is totally matchless. Who knows how BRUTUS/ZAHAK (of Shahnama) will stomach it, and how Zardari & Nawaz Sharif will screw up their mandates later (hope I am wrong). At least in this moment, we are alive and proud as Pakistanis. At least in this moment, we can trust Pakistani Army to do what it should have done all along, and not disrespect the will of the people.
I am so ecstatic in this moment, despite the daily problems and stresses of life, I can't compare it to anything except perhaps the moment Pakistan won the Cricket World Cup in 1992, or the moment Javaid Miandad hit his famous sixer in Sharjah. Those were such genuine opportunities to be proud as Pakistanis! And incredibly only a decade and a half ago....
Last night reminded me of the elections of 1970, when I was not eligible to vote, but had enjoyed the election transmission on Pakistan Television with the whole gang in Peshawar. That transmission was moderated by the inimitable Shuaib Hashmi and Obaidullah Aleem. Yesterday and last night, I watched the Internet transmission of Geo with the same excitement, and lo and behold, who brought me most of the news: a talented former student Javaid Iqbal who had caught the acting bug while working on his Masters and who I had only half-heartedly encouraged in that direction. Now he is one of the faces of Geo news. And I am proud that he found a way to fulfill himself.
I hope and pray our hopes, this long-suffering country's hopes, are also fulfilled. Ameen!