A Different Drummer

Emad on the failed opportunity that was Pervez Musharraf:

"Sitting at the student lounge at LUMS, I saw the small crowd erupt in an applause the moment the words (I translate), ".. in light of this, I am resigning from my post", were spoken by the now former President Musharraf.

Almost 9 years ago, I had rejoiced in a similar manner seeing him oust Nawaz Sharif in a military-led coup. For years after that, I was a vehement supporter of the man and his policies, calling him a benevolent leader. I did buy into his charisma and the straightforward manner of his expression. I did appreciate the skill and confidence with which he carried the flag of the country internationally. I liked the easing relationship with India and I appreciated the moderate views he brought with him to office."

Read the whole thing. Most of the switched on middle-upper class Pakistanis I have met say similar things, that Musharraf was right to oust Sharif, that he pushed things in the right direction economically and socially, that he completely fucked it all up in the last year.

With The General gone, the country will be ruled by someone with a pretty questionable moral code ("Mr Ten Per Cent"), which sadly is seen as an improvement by many. Like India, Pakistan is crammed to the rafters with some of the world's most talented, passionate, honorable and hard-working people; you can only hope it moves forward in the same direction as its neighbour to the south, rather than its considerably less successful neighbour to the north.

(I should take this occasion to direct newer readers to the first and only poem I have ever written, "How My Uncomfortable Lunch With Pervez Musharraf, President of Pakistan and Chief of Army Staff of the Pakistan Armed Forces, Didn't Work Out So Well". Read it with low expectations and you'll only be mildly dissapointed.)